CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/432,123, filed on January 12, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure is related to the field of chemical analysis and detection, and more particularly to the use of a sample collection and introduction system that utilizes a sample collector inserted into a sample chamber and chamber evacuation techniques to increase the concentration of a sample introduced to a detection device such as a mass spectrometer.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Chemical analysis tools such as gas chromatographs ("GC"), mass spectrometers ("MS"), ion mobility spectrometers ("IMS"), and various others, are commonly used to identify trace amounts of chemicals, including, for example, chemical warfare agents, explosives, narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, airborne contaminants, herbicides, pesticides, and various other hazardous contaminant emissions.

[0004] Most explosives, however, have very low volatility indices and as such, emit a very low amount of vapor into the surrounding air, typically below the detection limit of most analysis instruments. For this reason, detection typically involves the use of a swab or pad to capture the sample, and in some cases, involves heating the collector to release or vaporize the sample, thereby releasing it into an ambient gas matrix (e.g., air) before being transferred into the chemical detector.

SUMMARY

[0005] Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and techniques for facilitating the rapid detection of particulates or chemicals captured in a collector (e.g., a swab, pad, cloth, wipe, vial, substrate) by increasing the effective concentration of the sample as seen by a chemical detector. In one general aspect, the effective concentration of a sample captured in or on a collector is increased by enclosing the collector in a sample chamber, evacuating the chamber to reduce an internal pressure of the chamber to a level substantially less than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere, heating the collector to release the sample, and introducing the sample into the mass spectrometer.

[0006] In another general aspect, transferring a sample into a mass spectrometer is accomplished by capturing a sample on a collector; inserting the collector into a sample chamber coupled to the mass spectrometer and a vacuum pump; evacuating the sample chamber using the vacuum pump to reduce an internal pressure of the sample chamber to a level less than atmospheric pressure; heating the collector to release the sample from the collector; and introducing the sample into the mass spectrometer from the evacuated sample chamber.

[0007] In yet another general aspect, a sample analysis system includes a sample chamber configured to receive a collector carrying a sample, the sample chamber including a base and a lid operable to access a cavity formed by the base and the lid; a vacuum pump coupled to the sample chamber and configured to evacuate the sample chamber to reduce an internal pressure of the sample chamber to a level less than atmospheric pressure; a heating element configured to heat the collector to release the sample from the collector into the evacuated sample chamber; and a chemical analyzer coupled to the sample chamber and configured to receive the sample from the evacuated sample chamber.

[0008] In another general aspect, a sample chamber includes a base and a lid forming a cavity configured to receive a collector carrying a sample; and a heating element configured to heat the collector to release the sample from the collector; wherein the sample chamber is configured to be coupled to a vacuum pump operable to evacuate the sample chamber to reduce an internal pressure of the sample chamber to a level less than atmospheric pressure prior to the release of the sample from the collector.

[0009] These and other implementations may each optionally include one or more of the following features: the collector can include a sorbent material; capturing the sample on the collector may include wiping a surface of a target object with the collector, depositing the sample on the collector, or submerging at least a portion of the collector into a target substance; inserting the collector into the sample chamber may include forming a substantially air-tight seal around the collector when inserted into the sample chamber and/or pressing the collector against a heating element; heating the collector may include conducting current through a heating element to induce Joule heating; determining a temperature of the collector based on a measured resistance of the heating element; heating the collector may include emitting radiant energy substantially toward the collector using one or more heating elements, and/or reflecting the emitted radiant energy substantially toward the collector using a reflective barrier; the radiant heating element may be configured to emit radiant energy of a particular wavelength that preferentially excites a sample of interest; the collector may be a wipe, a substrate, or a swab; the sample chamber may include one or more gaskets or seals positioned between the base and the lid to form a

substantially air-tight seal around the collector when inserted into the sample chamber; the base and lid may be configured to press the collector against the heating element; the heating element can be configured to generate heat via Joule heating; the heating element can be configured to emit radiant energy substantially toward the collector; the system can include a reflective barrier configured to reflect the emitted radiant energy substantially toward the collector; the sample can include a first compound and a second compound, different from the first compound; heating the collector can include variably heating the collector over time, such that, in response to variably heating the collector, the first compound is primarily released during a first time period, and the second compound is primarily released during a second time period; variably heating the collector can include operating a resistive heating element or a radiant heating element at a first power level during the first time period and at a second power level during the second time period; variably heating the collector can include emitting radiant energy having a first radiant frequency substantially toward the collector during the first time period, and emitting radiant energy having a second radiant frequency substantially toward the collector during the second time period; evacuating the sample chamber using the vacuum pump to reduce the internal pressure of the sample chamber can include reducing the internal pressure of the sample chamber to a first level during a first time period, and reducing the internal pressure of the sample chamber to a second level during a second time period, such that, in response to heating the collector, the first compound is primarily released during the first time period and the second compound is primarily released during the second time period; introducing the sample into the mass spectrometer from the evacuated sample chamber can include primarily introducing the first compound during a first time period and primarily introducing the second compound during a second time period; the sample can include a first compound and a second compound, different from the first compound, and the heating element can be configured to variably heat the collector over time, such that, in response to variably heating the collector, release of the first compound is initiated during a first time period, and release of the second compound is initiated during a second time period the heating element is configured to operate at a first power level during the first time period and at a second power level during the second time period; the heating element can be configured to emit radiant energy having a first radiant frequency substantially toward the collector during the first time period, and can be configured to emit radiant energy having a second radiant frequency substantially toward the collector during the second time period; the vacuum pump can be configured to reduce the internal pressure of the sample chamber to a first level during a first time period, and to reduce the internal pressure of the sample chamber to a second level during a second time period, such that, in response to heating of the collector, release of the first compound is initiated during the first time period and release of the second compound is initiated during the second time period.

[0010] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[001 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an exemplar chemical detection system.

[0012] FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are cross-sectional views of exemplar sample chambers.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a system diagram of another exemplar chemical detection system.

[0014] FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective and cross-sectional views of an exemplar sample chamber.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example technique for detecting particulates/chemicals captured in or on a collector.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a system diagram of an exemplar arrangement of a chemical detection system.

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exemplar process flow 400 for using a chemical detection system to transfer a collected sample into a chemical analyzer for analysis. [0018] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the description below, for the purposes of explanation, specific examples related to detecting particulates/chemicals captured in or on a collector and analyzed using a mass spectrometer have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the implementations of the subject matter described in this specification. It is appreciated that the implementations described herein can be utilized in other capacities as well and need not be limited to mass spectrometers, but may be used to improve the operation of other detection instruments and techniques used in series or in parallel with a mass spectrometer. Accordingly, other

implementations are within the scope of the claims.

[0020] Mass spectrometers are particularly well suited for chemical analysis due to the high resolution measurements that can be realized and because mass

spectrometers measure a fundamental property of chemicals that are introduced into the instrument. Other forms of chemical analysis instrumentation such as ion mobility spectrometers, surface acoustic wave devices, electrochemical cells, and similar instruments measure the constituents of a sample by inferring their presence from measurements of related phenomena such as resonant frequency changes, voltage changes, and drift time measurements. In addition, while other analytical instruments typically operate at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, mass spectrometers typically require a vacuum environment (e.g., pressures of 10 ^"6 - 10 ^"3 Torr) for proper operation. Because mass spectrometers operate at pressures well below that of atmospheric pressure, fewer molecules are present per unit volume in the instrument than for those instruments that operate at higher pressures. This is well described by the Ideal Gas Law:

pV = nRT

where p is the pressure inside the analysis chamber of an instrument, is the volume of the analysis chamber, n is the number of molecules present, R is a constant equal to 8.314 Jmol ¹ K ¹ , and T is the temperature of the sample.

[0021] In some applications, the number of molecules present is further decreased by miniaturization of the mass spectrometer (i.e., decreased V) to enable easy portability, for example, by airport security personnel. This is illustrated by the Ideal Gas Law noted above by decreasing both p and V; as a result, the number of molecules present, n, is reduced accordingly. Thus, the effect of reducing the detection volume of the instrument is a reduction in the sensitivity of the instrument, where the sensitivity is the minimum external amount of a sample that can be measured by the instrument. For example, a mass spectrometer operating at 10 ^~3 Torr, with an analysis chamber volume of 1 mm ³ , operating at 25°C will have 32.3 x 10 ⁹ molecules present. A corresponding instrument that operates at atmospheric pressure (760 Torr) will have 24.6 x 10 ¹⁵ molecules present. A corresponding instrument that operates at 10 ^~3 Torr but has an analysis chamber that is 1 cm ³ will have 32 x 10 ¹² molecules present. Thus, miniaturizing instruments that operate at lower pressures significantly reduces the number of molecules available for analysis.

[0022] As noted above, most explosives have very low volatility indices and as such, emit a very low amount of vapor into the surrounding air. For this reason, detection typically involves the use of a surface wipe, for example, to collect the sample, and in some cases, involves heating the collector to release or vaporize the sample, which may or may not decompose into more primitive components during the release / vaporization, into an ambient gas matrix (e.g., air) before being transferred into the chemical detector. However, if this sample is introduced into a miniature mass spectrometer, the chance of detecting the presence of a chemical of interest in that sample is thus significantly reduced. Nevertheless, techniques are available to those skilled in the art to improve the sensitivity of the instrument, including, for example, coupling a mass spectrometer with a gas chromatograph, and repeating the analysis multiple times. However, these and other techniques for improving the sensitivity of the instrument can significantly increase the analysis time, typically from several seconds to several minutes, or in the case of a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer, up to 30 minutes, typically.

[0023] The present disclosure provides alternative techniques for improving the sensitivity of a mass spectrometer in detecting chemicals/particulates captured in a collector without a significant increase in analysis time. In particular, by enclosing the collector in a sample chamber and evacuating the chamber prior to the heating/analysis process, the effective concentration of the sample can be increased over that of a sample introduced from a non-evacuated chamber. The following explanation further illustrates this concept. For low partial pressures of analyte compared to partial pressures of background matrix, the gain due to the evacuation of the 'dead volume' within the sample chamber to a reduced pressure is given by:

G evacuation Pambient/P evacuated,

assuming P _eV acuated is greater than the operating pressure of the chemical analyzer, where Pambient is the pressure within a typical sample chamber (i.e., ambient) and Pevacuated is the reduced pressure in the sample chamber after evacuation. Table 1 below illustrates a sample calculation showing net gain that can be achieved by evacuation of the dead volume.

Table 1

[0024] By evacuating the dead volume in the chamber prior to releasing or desorbing the sample, the effective concentration of the sample, as seen by the mass spectrometer, is substantially increased. In other words, by decreasing the number of background matrix molecules and simultaneously substantially maintaining the number of analyte molecules, the ratio of analyte molecules to the total number of molecules in the volume is effectively increased. In addition, by preventing a substantial portion of the background matrix and other air-borne contaminants from entering the instrument, the accuracy of the analysis is typically improved.

[0025] In addition to improving the sensitivity of a mass spectrometer, evacuation of the sampling system improves the operation of the detection system by reducing contamination of the transfer path and/or the heat requirements for the transfer path. Explosives are very "sticky" compounds. When sampling explosive residues at atmospheric pressure, the transfer paths are typically heated to prevent the explosive vapors from sticking or condensing to the transfer lines. Compounds are much less likely to stick to or condense in a transfer path when the pressure in the transfer path is reduced to or near the vapor pressure of the compound in question and the temperature of the transfer path is near or above the corresponding boiling point, which will generally be much lower than the boiling point at atmospheric pressure. In general, the boiling point temperature of a compound decreases as the environmental pressure surrounding the compound decreases. Furthermore, by reducing the probability that compounds will condense along the transfer path, the evacuation of the sampling system in combination with the heating phase of the sampling process reduces or eliminates the need for lengthy purge cycles between samplings, thereby improving the system's purge efficiency.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplar chemical detection system (CDS) 100 configured to facilitate the rapid detection of particulates/chemicals at extremely low concentrations while reducing heat requirements for a transfer path between a sample chamber and a chemical detector and improving the system's purge efficiency. CDS 100 includes a sample chamber 110 (shown in cross-sectional form) having a base 112 and a lid 1 14. Base 112 and lid 1 14 define a substantially air-tight cavity 1 11 configured to receive a collector 125 containing a surface- wiped, adsorbed, or absorbed sample. In some implementations, base 1 12 and lid 1 14 are mechanically coupled, for example, by a hinge 116 (as shown in FIG. 1) or other similar mechanisms, such that the two portions can be separated to allow access to cavity 1 11 for the insertion and removal of collector 125.

[0027] When sample chamber 1 10 is closed, a substantially air-tight seal is formed between the base 112 and lid 1 14, for example, by one more gaskets or seals 1 13. FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of sample chamber 1 10 when opened. As shown in FIG. 2, in some implementations, gasket 113 is inserted in a groove 115A defined by base 1 12. Optionally, lid 1 14 may also define a groove 1 15B positioned opposite groove 115A to receive gasket or seal 113.

[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, sample chamber 110 is coupled to a vacuum path 130 via a vacuum port 1 17 defined by lid 1 14. In some examples, vacuum port 117 is defined by base 112, for example, to limit the flexing of vacuum plumbing forming vacuum path 130. In general, however, vacuum port 117 is located adjacent to cavity 11 1 to facilitate the evacuation of the dead volume within the cavity by a vacuum pump 140 coupled to vacuum path 130 via a valve 133. Vacuum path 130 is also coupled to a chemical analyzer 150 via a valve 132. Valve 132 is operable to isolate an inlet port or analysis chamber of chemical analyzer 150 from sample chamber 1 10, for example, before the evacuation of the dead volume within the cavity. Valve 134 is operable to re-pressurize sample chamber 110 after the analysis to allow an operator to open the sample chamber, extract the collector, and insert the next sample. Other arrangements are also possible, including, for example, evacuating sample chamber 1 10 using a vacuum pump system coupled directly to chemical analyzer 150, or evacuating sample chamber 1 10 via a separate vacuum path coupled to vacuum pump 140. FIG. 8, as described below, illustrates another possible arrangement.

[0029] After cavity 11 1 has been evacuated, the sample is released by heating collector 125. In some implementations, heating of the collector 125 is accomplished by utilizing infrared heating elements 160, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The infrared heating elements are positioned so that they emit radiant energy substantially toward collector 125 through a substrate 118 (e.g., fused quartz window) forming a portion of base 1 12. In some implementations, one or more infrared wavelengths are chosen to preferentially excite particular compounds of interest. Other techniques or materials may also be used to effect the release or vaporization of the sample from collector 125, including, for example, the use of a conductive heating element heated by Joule heating, described in more detail below. In alternative implementations electrical current is passed through an electrically conductive collector, such as a carbon cloth, in order to heat the collector and release the analyte.

[0030] In some examples, the heating element is controlled such that the temperature imparted upon the collector, which may contain a plurality of analytes (e.g., compounds of interest) having different boiling points at the pressure present in cavity 11 1, allows one or more of the analytes to be released while retaining one or more analytes. In some implementations, the temperature of collector 125 is adjusted in a pattern, and valve 132 is operated, such that analytes are released and introduced into chemical analyzer 150 at different times. In some examples, the pressure of cavity 111 is adjusted in a pattern, with either substantially constant temperature or a corresponding temperature profile, to allow selective release of analyte from collector 125. The analyte can be released via a variety of mechanisms, including, for example, controlling the temperature of a conductive heating element by adjusting voltage and current , and hence energy density (Joule heating), adjusting the frequency, wavelength, or intensity of a radiant source (for example infrared diodes), modulating the pulse width and / or frequency of a radiant source (PWM), and similar techniques. Other techniques for adjusting the temperature of collector 125 can be realized without changing the scope of this disclosure. [0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate alternative implementations of sample chamber 110 in which lid 1 14 includes a substrate 1 19 (e.g., fused quartz window). As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some implementations, substrate 119 includes mirror backing 120 such that radiant energy emitted by infrared heating elements 160 is reflected back towards collector 125. FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative implementation in which a second set of infrared heating elements 162 is positioned adjacent substrate 119 so that they emit radiant energy substantially toward collector 125 through substrate 119. In some implementations, infrared heating elements 160 are embedded or included in base 1 12 and/or lid 114.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplar chemical detection system (CDS) 200 configured to facilitate the rapid detection of chemicals at extremely low

concentrations while reducing heat requirements for a transfer path between a sample chamber and a chemical detector and improving the system's purge efficiency. CDS 200 includes a sample chamber 210 (shown in cross-sectional form) having a base 212 and a lid 214. Base 212 and lid 214 define a substantially air-tight cavity 211 configured to receive a collector 225 containing a surface-wiped sample. Similar to CDS 100, in some implementations, base 212 and lid 214 are mechanically coupled, for example, by a hinge 216 (as shown in FIG. 4) or other similar mechanisms, such that the two portions can be separated to allow access to cavity 21 1 for the insertion and removal of collector 225. When sample chamber 210 is closed, a substantially air-tight seal is formed between the base 212 and lid 214, for example, by gasket 213.

[0033] FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective/cross-sectional views of sample chamber 210 when opened. As shown in FIG. 6A, in some implementations, gasket or seal 213 is inserted in a groove 215A defined by base 212. Optionally, lid 214 may also define a groove 215B positioned opposite groove 215A to receive gasket or seal 213.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 5, sample chamber 210 is coupled to vacuum path 230 and vacuum pump 240 via valve 233 and a vacuum port 217 defined by base 212 to facilitate the evacuation of the dead volume within cavity 211. Vacuum path 230 is also coupled to a chemical analyzer 250 via a valve 232. Valve 232 is operable to isolate the analysis chamber of chemical analyzer 250 from sample chamber 210, for example, before the evacuation of the dead volume within the cavity. After cavity 21 1 has been evacuated, valve 232 is opened and the sample is released or vaporized by heating collector 225. In some implementations, valve 232 remains closed until the completion of the heating phase. Valve 234 is operable to re-pressurize sample chamber 210 after the analysis to allow an operator to open the sample chamber, extract the collector, and insert the next sample. As discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, other arrangements are also possible, including, for example, evacuating sample chamber 210 using a vacuum pump coupled directly to chemical analyzer 250, or evacuating sample chamber 210 via a separate vacuum path coupled to vacuum pump 240. FIG. 8, as described below, illustrates another possible arrangement.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5, sample chamber 210 includes a conductive heating element 222 (e.g., a iChrome mesh) configured to provide rapid heating of collector 125 via close contact with the collector. For example, in some implementations, conductive heating element 222 is supported by support rods 223 formed within cavity 211 in base 212. Lid 214 defines a set of ridges 226 running parallel to support rods 223 and aligned so as to compress collector 225 and conductive heating element 222 against support rods 223 when sample chamber 210 is closed. In some implementations, conductive heating element 222 is coupled to electrical leads 224 such that a current supplied through electrical leads 224 results in resistive heating or Joule heating of the heating element. Other techniques may also be used to heat the conductive heating element, including, for example, inductive heating techniques, conduction techniques, and the use of infrared heating elements as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3.

[0036] In some examples, conductive heating element 222 is also used as a temperature sensor such that the element's temperature is sensed based on a known and predictable correlation between the resistance of the conductive material (e.g., NiChrome) and its temperature. Resistance can be measured by monitoring the voltage across and current through the heating element (i.e., R=V/I). This technique allows fast and dynamic temperature determination without the need to add an external temperature sensor (which can cause thermal lag, exhibit variation in measured vs. actual temperature due to poor contact, thermal mass of temperature sensor, etc.) or the complexities of adding a discrete thermal sensor within cavity 211 and the associated control circuitry.

[0037] In operation, the detection of particulates/chemicals captured in or on a collector is accomplished, for example, as described in process flow 300 of FIG. 7. In some implementations, the collector may include or be comprised of one or more sorbent materials, including, for example, carbon cloth material, polytetrafuoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene, cotton, or SPME metal alloy fiber assembly having a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or other coating. A sample is collected (310), for example, by swiping the collector across the surface of a target object or dipping the collector into the target substance. The collector carrying the sample is then inserted into a sample chamber (320) (e.g., sample chamber 110 or 210 of FIGS. 1-6C) of a chemical detection system (e.g., CDS 100 or 200). Upon closing the sample chamber, a substantially air-tight seal is formed around the sample cavity (330). The evacuation phase is then initiated to evacuate the dead volume within the cavity (340), thereby reducing the pressure below atmospheric. After the evacuation phase is complete, the heating phase is initiated to heat the collector 125 (350), thereby causing the sample to be released or desorbed into the chamber. During, or optionally after, the heating phase, the sample is introduced into the chemical analyzer for analysis (360), for example, by opening a valve coupled to an inlet port of the chemical analyzer. In this way, the effective concentration of the sample, as seen by the chemical analyzer, is substantially increased facilitating rapid detection of chemicals at extremely low concentrations.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a system diagram of an exemplar arrangement of a chemical detection system (CDS) 300. As shown, the vacuum pump system includes a roughing pump 342 and a turbo pump 344 coupled to chemical analyzer 350 via a portion 336 of vacuum path 330. Roughing pump 342 is also coupled to sample chamber 310 (e.g., sample chamber 110, 210 of FIGS. 1-6C) via a portion 335 of vacuum path 330. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplar process flow 400 for using CDS 300 to transfer a collected sample into a chemical analyzer for analysis. As shown, a sample is captured on a collector and inserted into sample chamber 310 for analysis with valves 332/333 closed (410) and, in some cases, with valve 334 open. Once sample chamber 310 is closed, valve 334 is closed, if open, and valve 333 is opened to evacuate sample chamber 310 - i.e., remove the dead volume, including, for example, the background air matrix and any loose contaminants (420). After reaching a target reduced pressure, e.g., 7 Torr, valve 333 is closed and valve 332 is opened (430). Turbo pump 344 is then used to further evacuate sample chamber 310 through portion 336 of vacuum path 330, for example, to 10 ^"3 Torr (440). During, or after, the evacuation of sample chamber 310, the collector within sample chamber 310 is heated to release the collected sample into chemical analyzer 350 for analysis (450). Valve 332 is then closed and valve 334 is opened to re-pressurize sample chamber 310 for opening of the sample chamber and removal of the collector (460). Other techniques and pressure levels are also possible without changing the scope of this method.

[0039] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.

Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, some

implementations may include one or more agitators to aid in the release of the sample from the collector. Further, multiple pumps and/or valves may be included in one or more vacuum paths to evacuate the sample chamber and/or to eliminate redundant system components or to facilitate the re-pressurization of sample chamber 110, 210, 310. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.