Reel-to-reel bioforensic aerosol collection and storage system

An aerosol collection and storage system for capturing and storing aerosol particles comprising:

• an inlet for receiving ambient air into the system;
• an outlet for allowing ambient air to exit the system;
• a collection zone for receiving ambient air from said inlet;
• a first reel for holding an unexposed collection tape for movement through said collection zone;
• a second reel for receiving and storing said collection tape from said first reel, said collection tape being sequentially movable from said first reel through said collection zone and onto said second reel;
• an electrostatic precipitator system for collecting aerosol particles contained within the ambient air onto that portion of said collection tape located within said collection zone as the ambient air passes through said collection zone;
• a pouch forming mechanism located between said collection zone and said second reel, said pouch forming mechanism including a pair of plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship relative to each other and a pair of spaced apart retractable and extendable pin members, said pin members being movable between a first position wherein said pin members, when extended, extend over a portion of said collection tape and a second position wherein said pin members, when extended, engage said collection tape and position said collection tape in a folded arrangement between said pair of plate members, said plate members being movable into engagement with each other thereby folding the collection tape onto itself in an overlapped configuration, the collected aerosol particles being positioned between said overlapped collection tape portions, said plate members having portions thereof for heat sealing the side edges of the overlapped collection tape portion to form a pouch having one side open;
• said pair of plate members further including a portion thereof for heat sealing the open portion of said pouch for forming a sealed pouch containing the collected aerosol particles;
• said pair of plate members further including a portion thereof for heat sealing the overlapped collection tape at a location above the sealed pouch;
• said pair of plate members further including a portion thereof for heat severing said overlapped collection tape at a location between said sealed pouch and the heat sealed location above said sealed pouch;
• a storage container for receiving the sealed pouch when severed from said collection tape;
• and
• control means for advancing said collection tape onto said second reel after said sealed pouch has been severed therefrom.

An aerosol collection and storage system for capturing and storing aerosol particles comprising:

• an inlet for receiving ambient air into the system;
• an outlet for allowing ambient air to exit the system;
• a collection zone for receiving ambient air from said inlet;
• a first reel for holding an unexposed collection tape for movement through said collection zone;
• a second reel for receiving and storing said collection tape from said first reel, said collection tape being sequentially movable from said first reel through said collection zone and onto said second reel;
• an electrostatic precipitator system for collecting aerosol particles contained within the ambient air onto that portion of said collection tape located within said collection zone as the ambient air passes therethrough;
• a pouch forming mechanism located between said collection zone and said second reel, said pouch forming mechanism including a pair of plate members positioned in spaced apart relationship to each other and a pair of spaced apart retractable and extendable pin members which are reciprocally movable between a first position wherein said pin members, when extended, extend over a portion of said collection tape and a second position wherein said pin members, when extended, engage said collection tape and position said collection tape in an overlapping arrangement between said pair of plate members, said plate members being movable into engagement with each other thereby pressing said collection tape onto itself in an overlapped configuration, the collected aerosol particles being positioned between said overlapped collection tape portions;
• said plate members having portions associated therewith for heat sealing the side edges of the overlapped collection tape portions to form a pouch having one side open;
• a dispensing mechanism for injecting a buffer fluid into the open side portion of said pouch;
• said pair of plate members further including a portion thereof for heat sealing the open side portion of said pouch for forming a sealed pouch containing the collected aerosol particles and the injected fluid therewithin;
• and
• control means for advancing said collection tape and said sealed pouches onto said second reel for storage thereon.

An aerosol collection and storage system for capturing and storing aerosol particles comprising:

• an inlet for receiving ambient air into the system;
• an outlet for allowing ambient air to exit the system;
• a collection zone for receiving the ambient air from said inlet;
• a first reel for holding an unexposed collection tape for movement through said collection zone;
• a second reel for receiving and storing said collection tape from said first reel, said collection tape being movable from said first reel through said collection zone and onto said second reel;
• an electrostatic precipitator system for collecting aerosol particles contained within the ambient air onto that portion of said collection tape located within said collection zone as the ambient air passes through said collection zone;
• said collection tape being stationary for a predetermined period of time within said collection zone during the collection of the aerosol particles onto that portion of said collection tape located therein;
• a third reel for holding at least one unexposed moistened pad stored on a tape material and covered with a protective cover, said moistened pad tape material being movable into contact with said collection tape after aerosol particles are collected thereon;
• a fourth reel positioned and located for receiving and storing the protective cover associated with the moistened pad tape material as such protective cover is removed from such tape material en route to contact with said collection tape thereby exposing the at least one moistened pad;
• said exposed at least one moistened pad being moved into contact with the collected aerosol particles on said collection tape after removal of said protective cover;
• means for sealing the exposed at least one moistened pad to the collected aerosol particles on said collection tape when said at least one moistened pad is placed in contact with the collected aerosol particles;
• and
• means for advancing the collection tape and associated moistened pad onto said second reel after the tape material containing said at least one moistened pad is sealed to said collection tape.