FALCON II Widefield Raman Chemical Imaging System | ChemImage Corporation

General Description
The FALCON II Widefield Raman Chemical Imaging System combines the benefits of widefield Chemical Imaging with dispersive Raman spectroscopy. This combination of powerful analytical hardware options and unique, easy-to-use-software makes the FALCON II the most versatile and feature-rich Raman microscope platform available. Analysis with the FALCON II system requires little or no sample preparation and the Raman spectroscopy/Chemical Imaging measurements are compatible with aqueous systems. Nondestructive sample characterization can be performed through glass containers, thin plastic bags or blister packs. Application areas include drug content uniformity, particle size distribution, polymorph characterization, water quality monitoring, cancer research, polymer characterization, and biological and chemical agent detection and identification.

Technical Description
Chemical Imaging combines digital imaging and Raman spectroscopy to provide molecular images that reveal material morphology, composition structure and concentration. The FALCON II system can be configured to operate in visible or Raman modes, as well as optional fluorescence or Near Infrared (NIR) absorbance/reflectance capabilities. The FALCON II system consists of three major subsystems all packaged in one convenient unit. The subsystems include an excitement source to provoke material response, imaging optics to acquire sample response information, and an optical detection system with optical filters and cameras to detect high resolution spatial and spectral information.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

Between 2 and 15 minutes for detection
Multiple samples, multiple tests/sample per run
Less than 32 samples every 2 hours
The system could be adapted to a semi-automated system with some effort
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays.
0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
2 components
10-20 minutes is required for set-up
1-2 steps are required for detection

LOGISTICS:

A day of training and technical skills are required
Larger than a home dishwasher
More than 50 kg
Wireless and wired connections are available
System or device has 110V electrical requirement

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from 4°C to 41°C
Components must be stored at room temperature (27°C)
Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
Greater than 3 years shelf life
Greater than 10 years expected life
Results can be viewed in real-time
The system could be adapted to a fully autonomous system with some effort
The system software is closed and not available for modification
The system hardware is closed and not available for modification

DETECTION:

Possible the system could receive 510K clearance, no current efforts at this time
Possible the system could receive FDA approval, no current efforts at this time
Less than 10 µL
Good specificity. Consistently low level of false alarms
(2-5%)100-1,000 CFU per mL
Spore lysis not necessary for detection by system
> 1 ppt
System currently can identify aerosolized chemical agent
System currently can identify liquid chemical agent