Pranalytica, Inc.

Leland Stanford Junior University

Franalytica, Inc.

Michael Evan Webber

C Kumar N Patel

Michael B Pushkarsky

Ronald K Hanson

Jay B Jeffries

Tyson MacDonald

A method and apparatus architecture for detecting gases, particularly hazardous gases which should be detected in miniscule amounts. High sensitivity detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is set forth with very low probability of false positives (PFP) by the use of an innovative laser-photoacoustic spectrometer (L-PAS). Detection of diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), a decomposition product of Sarin and a relatively harmless surrogate for the nerve gases, is made in the presence of other gases that are expected to be interferences in an urban setting. Detection sensitivity for DIMP in the presence of these interferences of better than 0.45 ppb, which satisfies current homeland and military security requirements is shown as well as the first analysis of optical techniques for the detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in real world conditions.

System and method for high sensitivity optical detection of gases

A method of analyzing alveolar breath. Breath is expired through an analysis chamber. The concentration of a first component of the breath is monitored as the breath is expired through the analysis chamber. When the concentration of the first component indicates that alveolar breath is in the analysis chamber, at least one concentration measurement of a second component of the breath is triggered. Concentration measurements of the second component are discontinued when the concentration of the first component indicates that alveolar breath is no longer passing through the analysis chamber.

Method of analyzing components of alveolar breath

An amplifier-enhanced optical analysis system and method to optically analyze a molecular component of a gas, liquid, or solid. The amplifier-enhanced optical system comprises a laser, a light amplifier, and an optical analysis means, all optically coupled so that light at a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared spectrum is transported from the laser, through the light amplifier, and to the optical analysis means, wherein the predetermined wavelength corresponds to an absorption feature of the molecular component. Optical analysis means preferably comprises photoacoustic analysis equipment.

Amplifier-enhanced optical analysis system and method

A system and method utilizing a radiation source with a wavelength near 2 &mgr;m (preferably 1993 nm) to measure the presence of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor using spectroscopic techniques and a reduced measurement pressure is provided. Using radiation substantially near 2 &mgr;m enables one to interrogate the P (3) ammonia transition at a frequency of 5016.977 cm , which is isolated from water and carbon dioxide interference; the P(32) carbon dioxide transition at 5017.030 cm , which is isolated from both ammonia and water interference, and a water transition at 5017.100 cm . Moreover, a tunable radiation source that can sweep over the aforementioned ammonia and carbon dioxide and water features can measure the concentrations of all three species simultaneously. Using a sub-atmospheric pressure substantially near 100 Torr decreases the pressure broadening of different spectroscopic transitions, thereby isolating different absorption features, enabling species-specific measurements without interference, yet retaining sufficient peak absorption.

Growing community of inventors

Culver City, CA, United States of America

Michael Evan Webber