US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Phillip M Mach

Trevor G Glaros

Elizabeth S Dhummakupt

Harold S Wylie

Daniel O Carmany

Aleksandr E Miklos

Jennifer W Sekowski

John M Nilles

Robert C Bernhards

Kathleen J Quinn

Katherine M Broadway

Robert Cory Bernhards

Devices are provided for remote environmental and atmospheric testing that can be deployed without personnel entering a potentially dangerous area. The device can detect and automatically analyze biological and chemical agents and then automatically report if any of these agents are present without the intervention of public safety or military personnel. During sample collection and analysis, the device deploys a sample-collecting pad, tape, or filter which is then retracted with captured samples (liquid or solid) obtained from either surfaces or as aerosols from the air. The captured samples may be retracted into an enclosed vessel which will then extract the sample off of the pad, tape, or filter into a liquid carrier, and this liquid carrier is delivered to a downstream process for further analysis. The steps between sample collection and analysis are completely automated and include solvent washes, extractions, centrifugations, or other steps that are not normally readily amenable to totally-hands-off automation.

Automatic sample collector and extractor

An apparatus and method for detecting an analyte of interest using paper spray mass spectrometry includes a spray material; a sample on the spray material including an enzyme of interest; a solvent to hydrate the sample, promote enzymatic activity, and extract analytes of interest from the sample; a substrate specific to the enzyme of interest, wherein any of the spray material and the solvent includes the substrate; a voltage source to apply a voltage to the spray material to create charged droplets of a mixture containing the sample; and a mass spectrometer to perform spectrometry on the droplets to perform any of: identify the analytes of interest in the sample; and measure a level of inhibition in any enzymes contained in the sample.

Mass spectrometry ionization based-assay for the detection of enzyme activity and/or presence

The invention is directed towards an Aerodynamic Automated Biological Assay Device ('AABAD') comprising an aerodynamic substrate having a microfluidic cassette and an electronic module, and a system and a method of deploying the same to detect biological agents and hazards suspended in an atmosphere. The AABAD may be in the form/shape of a maple seed/fruit to induce autorotation. A plurality of AABADs are dispersed into the atmosphere from an aircraft or drone. The AABADs rotate via centrifugal forces without motor or active propulsion system while descending to the ground, wherein during the descent, the AABADs microfluidic cassettes collect and process the air samples via a centrifugal force formed from the autorotation generated by the airborne carrier, and to analyze and transmits the results to a remote location.

Aerodynamic biological assay device for exploratory detection

An apparatus and method to capture aerosols and vapors on substrates from a large variety of sources and matrices for analysis using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is disclosed. A holder for a PS cartridge has better direct sampling efficiency, direct capture on substrate, and lower limits of detection thereby improving the collection and analysis of aerosols and vapors. An apparatus and method for aerosol and vapor collection, from both anthropogenic and environmental sources, for example, that is compact and compatible with hand held devices and unmanned vehicles is also disclosed.

Direct capture and analysis of aerosols and vapors by paper spray mass spectrometry

Growing community of inventors

Edgewood, MD, United States of America

Phillip M Mach