The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 02, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1996
Edward E Bromberg, Peabody, MA (US);
Memorie K Durfee, Cambridge, MA (US);
Thermedics Detection Inc., Chelmsford, MA (US);
Abstract
A sampling apparatus collects sample air from a subject such as a person. The apparatus includes a bypass that divides the sample air stream into a bypass portion and a collector portion. The collector portion of the air stream is delivered to a collector, which traps entrained particles. After the sampling cycle concludes, a mechanical conveyor removes the collector from fluid communication with the bypass and transports it to a analyzing unit. A chamber in the unit receives the collector, and a diverter couples the chamber with either of two vapor and/or particle analyzers. During analysis, a heater in the unit heats both the chamber and the diverter. A sample collected from one subject can be analyzed in one of the analyzers while another sample is being collected from another subject. The other analyzer can then be used to analyze the second sample.