General Description
The AiroCollect-Detect is a combined laser induced florescence (LIF) detector and wetted-wall plastic cyclone (WWPC) bio-aerosol sample collection device that runs on AC power or batteries. This product was developed to be power efficient, light weight, and portable with the option to configure the product into a man portable backpack. The LIF detector continuously analyzes air samples for airborne pathogens. It statistically correlates particle size and florescence comparing samples to statistically known signatures of dangerous pathogens. If it finds a match, it triggers real-time collection of the airborne particulates into a saline solution. The AiroCollect-Detect is easy to operate and designed in modular fashion, so it can be easily packaged into larger systems. Alternatively, it can be environmentally enclosed and temperature regulated to operate standalone.
Technical Description
The WWPC Collector uses inertial aerodynamic separation of bio-aerosols particulates in the human aspiration size range. Particles larger than 10 microns are removed using a pre-separator and inlet. Particles smaller than ½ micron escape the cyclonic force. The walls of the cyclone are wetted to achieve high collection efficiencies and concentration factors. The LIF Detector operates on the principle of Mie scattering, concurrently examining each particle for the presence of the metabolites NADH and riboflavin. The detector simultaneously measures particle size and florescence with a single illumination. It processes the two signals and compares results to known biological signatures.
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 or device is currently fully automated
- Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
- 2 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
- 3 components
- 5-10 minutes is required for setup
- 1-2 steps are required for detection
LOGISTICS:
- Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
- Between 5 and 25 kg
- Wireless and wired connections are available
- System or device uses batteries
- 4-8 hours battery life
OPERATIONS:
- Components must be frozen (-20°C)
- Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
- Greater than 3 years shelf life
- 5-10 years expected life
- Results can be viewed in real-time
- The system or device is currently fully autonomous
- The system software is open and available for modification
- The system hardware is open but modification requires licensing
DETECTION:
- Not possible for the system to achieve 510K clearance
- Not possible for the system to achieve FDA approval
- Less than 10 µL
- 1-100 CFU per mL
- Spore lysis not necessary for detection by system