VeroTect | Biral | WMD Detector Selector

General Description
The Biral VeroTect real time biodetection instrument is designed to give the earliest possible warning of the potential presence of biological warfare agents in the atmosphere. It is a generic detector that performs all measurements on the particles in airborne suspension. It uses the physical characteristics of particles together with their intrinsic fluorescence to differentiate biological particles that represent a potential threat from the wide range of natural and pollutant particles that are always present in the atmosphere. It requires no reagents or consumables. The instrument has been designed only for use in military and security environments. It has passed all the required UK MOD rough handling tests and has been environmentally certified for operation between -30°C to +50°C. It can operate entirely autonomously giving visual and/or audible warning or it can be operated remotely from a computer system. In the latter case all indicator lights on the unit may be extinguished. The system is configured so that it can operate on a stand-alone basis as a single point detector or it can be part of an array of networked sensors delivering area detection. For stand-alone operation it is supplied with intelligent Vero Warn software. If required, this can be used to trigger aerosol collectors, providing samples for identification analysis systems.

Technical Description
The Biral VeroTect measures the size and shape of all particles in the sampled aerosol. It also measures the intrinsic fluorescence of a small volume of the aerosol. The particle size and shape are derived from, respectively, the integrated intensity and the spatial distribution of the scattered light pattern. Intrinsic fluorescence is excited by a flash lamp with the output filtered to give a narrow band pulse of UV light centered at a wavelength of 280nm. The fluorescence generated is split into UV and visible bands and the intensity of each is measured. The data from the aerosol measurements is passed to the VeroWarn software in which a suite of intelligent algorithms assess the probability that a biological challenge has been detected. The analysis algorithms can be adjusted to vary the response of the system for a range of operational requirements. The company always aims to work with the customer to ensure that the analysis system is optimized for their specific requirements.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

2 minutes or less for detection
Continuous operation with no defined runs
System is continuous and provides real time analysis with no defined tests/samples
The system or device is currently fully automated
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
0 components
Less than 5 minutes is required for set-up
Automatic detection

LOGISTICS:

Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
Approximately the size of a carry-on luggage suitcase
Between 25 and 50 kg
Wireless and wired connections are available
System or device has 110V electrical requirement

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from < -21°C to > 42°C (All temperatures)
Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
5-10 years expected life
Results can be viewed in real-time
The system or device is currently fully autonomous
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
This system does not test liquids
Good specificity. System has a consistently low level of false alarms (2-5%)
Spore lysis not necessary for detection by system

Tier Selection