Integrated airborne substance collection and detection system

An autonomously functioning detection apparatus to detect the presence of one or more different types of particles, the autonomously functioning detection apparatus comprises:

• a. a first level detection device configured to automatically interrogate ambient air for the presence of one or more different types of airborne biological particles, wherein the first level detection device is further configured to automatically generate a trigger signal in response to detecting one or more of the different types of airborne biological particles;
• b. a fluid interface configured to automatically and continuously receive airborne particles within the ambient air interrogated by the first level detection device and to automatically and continuously collect the particles within a fluid sample;
• c. a second level detection device configured to automatically receive the fluid sample in response to the trigger signal and to automatically confirm the presence of the one or more different types of biological particles;
• d. a control module configured to provide control signals to the first level detection device, the fluid interface, and the second level detection device to enable the detection apparatus to function autonomously;
• and
• e. microfluidic circuitry to couple the fluid interface to the second level detection device.

A detection apparatus to detect the presence of one or more different types of particles, the detection apparatus comprises:

• a. an air collection device configured to intake ambient air including airborne particles;
• b. a triggering mechanism configured to interrogate the ambient air for the presence of one or more different types of airborne biological particles and to generate a trigger signal in response to detecting one or more of the different types of airborne biological particles;
• c. a fluid interface configured to receive airborne particles within the ambient air interrogated by the triggering mechanism and to continuously collect the particles within a fluid sample;
• d. a confirmation device configured to receive the fluid sample in response to the trigger signal and to confirm the presence of the one or more different types of biological particles using an immuno assay;
• e. microfluidic circuitry to couple the fluid interface to the confirmation device;
• and
• f. a control module configured to provide control signals to the air collection device, the triggering mechanism, the fluid interface, and the confirmation device to enable the detection apparatus to function autonomously,
• wherein the air collection device, the triggering mechanism, the fluid interface, the confirmation device, and the control module are components of an integrated device.

A method of detecting the presence of one or more different types of biological particles, the method comprising:

• a. continuously collecting ambient air including airborne particles;
• b. measuring one or more optical characteristics of the airborne particles;
• c. comparing the measured one or more optical characteristics to known optical characteristics associated with one or more types of biological particles;
• d. continuously collecting the airborne particles measured for one or more optical characteristics within a fluid sample;
• e. generating a trigger signal if the one or more of the measured one or more optical characteristics match one or more of the known optical characteristics;
• and
• f. in response to the trigger signal, transporting the fluid sample via microfluidic circuitry to a detection device and analyzing the fluid sample according to an immuno assay to confirm the presence of the one or more specific types of biological particles.