CHIRP (Chemical Hazard Indicating and Ranging Pack) | FLIR Systems, Inc.

General Description
CHIRP can be used for continuous detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in air. The enzymatic detection capabilities are highly sensitive to chemical agents yet extremely resistant to potential environmental and chemical interferents. Currently CHIRP can detect nerve agents (G & V series) at myosis level concentrations in air. Future developments include expanding the capability of the monitor for other CWAs such as blood agents or TICs detection. In future developments the CHIRP will carry GPS and wireless communications and relays data to a central command center software package.

Technical Description
A wet chemistry technique formulated to indicate the presence of a CWA by a chemical reaction that causes a color change when agents come in contact with certain solutions or substrates. The color change can be detected either visually or with spectrophotometric devices. The current unit has been proven to detect nerve agents at myosis level concentrations in air in 3rd party conducted live agent studies. The CHIRP is highly selective towards nerve agents and resistant to common environmental interferents.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

Between 2 and 15 minutes 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:

An afternoon of training and some technical skills required
Approximately the size of a toaster
Between 5 and 25 kg
Wireless and wired connections are available
System or device uses batteries
4-8 hours battery life

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
Between 1 to 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 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
This system does not test liquids
Superior specificity. System has a false alarm rate
approaching zero (~0%)
<1x10-6 mg/m3
Possible system can be adapted to identify aerosolized chemical agent

Tier Selection