System for rapid assessment of water quality and harmful algal bloom toxins
AssigneeWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
InventorScott M. Gallager
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Abstract
The present invention is directed toward the early detection of harmful algal blooms. The system employs the ability of whole cell non-contact micro Raman spectroscopy to detect cell pigmentation in such a way that distinct patterns or fingerprints can be assembled. Light field microscopy will provide a fundamentally innovative increase in image and sample volume. Furthermore, darkfield microscopy is employed to capture high-resolution, color images of the detected plankton to increase the accuracy of species identification and classification. Together, this new instrument will provide a powerful yet elegantly simple solution to detection of HAB cells and characterization of environmental conditions.
Claims25
A portable detection device for detecting and quantifying a target of interest, comprising:
- an optical system comprising a camera;
- a Raman spectroscopic assembly comprising a spectrometer and a laser, said laser capable of producing laser light;
- a lens with an image face and a defined focal length;
- an optical splitter arranged between said lens and said camera;
- a target space, capable of at least temporarily accommodating at least one target to be detected;
- and
- a power source, operably connected to said optical system;
- wherein said optical splitter directs said laser light to said target space, and said spectrometer receives light information reflected from a target, providing a spectrum associated with the target, and the device is capable of operating in an aquatic environment.
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A method of detecting the presence of a target, the steps comprising:
- providing a device comprising an optical system with a camera, an optical splitter and a lens and a Raman spectroscopic assembly with a spectrometer and a laser, wherein said laser is capable of producing laser light, and the device is capable of operating in an aquatic environment;
- allowing at least one target to enter a target space to be detected by the optical system;
- employing the Raman spectroscopic assembly to impinge the target with said laser light, producing reflected light;
- and
- collecting said reflected light with the lens and directing, with the optical splitter, at least a portion of said reflected light to the spectrometer, and wherein said spectrometer separates the Raman scattered light from said reflected light to produce a spectrum associated with the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.