Use of a Direction Signal in Controlling a Device for Detecting a Desorbed Sample

• Main Author: John Patrick Fitzgerald
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.07.2020
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS; ELECTRICITY; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING

Detection device 100 has an inlet passage 142 for receiving vapour desorbed from a sample 162 and delivering it to a substance detector 140. A direction signal obtainer, perhaps a direction or orientation sensor 112, detects a signal indicating a direction from a sample carrier to an opening of the inlet passage. A controller 150 enables or inhibits desorption based on the direction signal, perhaps by communicating with and providing power to a desorber 130, to enable desorption if the direction signal indicates that the sample is beneath the opening. A holder sensor 122 may detect a sample carrier 160 in a holder 120, perhaps for a swab or probe, which may be attachable to the device. The device may be handheld, and have a user interface 103; a user may provide input to initiate or control desorption. The device or the sample carrier may comprise the desorber and/or the controller.