# US 2013/0239704 A1 · Hand-held trace vapor/particle sampling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0239704 A1 - Document ID: US20130239704A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/860,360 - Filed: 2013-04-10 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2005-08-11 - Assignees: Morpho Detection, Inc. - Applicants: Morpho Detection, Inc. - Inventors: Jack A. Syage - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130239704A1 ## CPC - G01N 1/22: in the gaseous state {(specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087)} - G01N 1/02: Devices for withdrawing samples {(sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08)} - G01N 1/2205: {with filters} - G01N 1/4005: {by transferring a selected component through a membrane} - G01N 1/405: {by adsorption or absorption} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 A system that collects a trace sample from an object for detection by a detector, said system comprising: a housing defining at least one return passage to receive the trace sample and a nozzle configured to direct a jet of fluid onto the object; a vapor filter coupled to said housing and coupled in fluid communication with said at least one return passage, said vapor filter configured to absorb vapor from the trace sample; a particle filter coupled to said housing and coupled in fluid communication with said at least one return passage, said particle filter configured to collect particles from the trace sample; a heater; and, a controller configured to control said heater to heat said particle filter to a temperature that also heats said vapor filter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising a pump to collect the trace sample through said vapor filter and said particle filter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising a low-volume source to transfer at least one of a vapor sample and a particle sample to the detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of valves configured to control fluid flow to said vapor filter and said particle filter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said particle filter is constructed from an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said vapor filter is constructed from a non-electrically conductive material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said nozzle is configured to direct a pulsed jet of fluid. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said nozzle is configured to direct a continuous jet of fluid. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said heater comprises at least one heating element coupled to said housing. ### Claim 26 A method for collecting a trace sample for detection by a detector, said method comprising: directing a jet of fluid onto an object; heating the object; extracting a trace sample from the object; transferring the trace sample to a concentrator that has a particle filter and a vapor filter; collecting at least one particle from the trace sample with the particle filter; collecting a vapor from the trace sample with the vapor filter; heating the particle filter and the vapor filter to create a vapor sample; and, transferring the vapor sample to the detector. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the particle filter is heated with a current that flows through the particle filter. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the particle and the vapor are collected when a first valve is open and a second valve is closed, and the vapor sample is transferred when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the jet of fluid is controlled to be pulsed. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the jet of fluid is controlled to be continuous. ### Claim 31 A portable concentrator for collecting a trace sample for detection by a detector, said portable concentrator comprising: a housing configured to receive the trace sample; a particle filter coupled to said housing, said particle filter configured to collect particles from the trace sample; a vapor filter coupled to said housing, said vapor filter configured to absorb vapor from the trace sample; and, electrical contacts connected to said particle filter, said electrical contacts configured to transmit electrical current to said particle filter to heat said particle filter. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The concentrator of claim 31, further comprising a handle connected to said housing. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The concentrator of claim 31, wherein said housing has a bar code. ### Claim 34 A method for collecting a trace sample for detection by a detector, said method comprising: collecting a particle on a particle filter; collecting a vapor on a vapor filter; inserting the particle filter and the vapor filter into a sample delivery system; desorbing a vapor sample from the particle filter and the vapor filter; and, transferring the vapor sample to the detector. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, wherein the particle filter and the vapor filter are manually inserted into the sample delivery system.