Micro-scale passive vapor preconcentrator/injector

A passive preconcentrator and injector device, comprising:

• an upper plate defining an array of micro-scale diffusion channels;
• a lower plate secured to the upper plate and defining a cavity in fluid communication with the micro-scale diffusion channels;
• an integral heating unit disposed on an exterior region of the lower plate and configured for heating the cavity;
• a loading port for introducing a reusable collection material;
• an inlet port and an outlet port both in fluid communication with the cavity;
• and
• a fluidic manifold system comprising a plurality of conduits disposed between the cavity and the outlet port.

A method of detecting a compound in the gas phase using a combination preconcentrator and injector device, the method comprising:

• providing a passive preconcentrator and injector device including an upper portion defining an array of micro-scale diffusion channels, a lower portion defining a cavity in fluid communication with the micro-scale diffusion channels and containing a collection material, an integral heating unit, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluidic manifold system disposed between the cavity and the outlet port, the fluidic manifold system comprising a plurality of conduits in fluid communication with a plurality of regions of the cavity;
• exposing the preconcentrator and injector device to a sampling area and allowing the collection material to passively capture a gas-phase analyte sample for a predetermined time period at a predetermined rate;
• connecting the outlet to a measurement device;
• actuating the integral heating unit and initiating thermal desorption to generate a desorbed gas or vapor;
• and
• collecting and analyzing the desorbed gas or vapor to detect at least one captured or desorbed compound.