Sampling platform system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12409451-B1
Application number	US-202318121375-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2023
Priority date	Jun 17, 2020
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

The embodiments are directed to both sampling apparatuses and systems. Apparatus embodiments are directed to a sample collection apparatus having several receptacles configured to removably-hold sample collection devices. The sample collection devices are configured to hold a sample including solid media and analyte. System embodiments include the sample collection apparatus and several receptacles for removably-holding sample collection devices. The system embodiments also include additional components to perform analysis of the sample.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sampling system, comprising:
a motorized platform having a rotary disc, an electric motor, and a controller, said rotary disc is electromechanically-coupled to said electric motor and said controller;
said rotary disc having a first side, a second side, an outer edge, and a central longitudinal axis;
a plurality of receptacles extending through said rotary disc from said first side to said second side, said plurality of receptacles axially-spaced at equal distance about said central longitudinal axis;
a computer configured to communicate with said controller and provide instructions to said controller, said controller configured to actuate said electric motor;
a mass spectrometer configured to communicate with said computer, said mass spectrometer having a power source and a sampling inlet; and
a syringe pump configured to communicate with said computer;
wherein each receptacle in said plurality of receptacles is configured to removably-hold a sample collection device, said sample collection device comprising: a proximal end, a distal end, and a hole at said distal end; wherein said sample collection device is hollow and configured to hold a solid media containing an analyte; wherein said sample collection device is constructed of a conductive polymer, said conductive polymer including a mixture of carbon nanotubes and a polymer.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each receptacle in said plurality of receptacles is an aperture through said rotary disc.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of receptacles is a range of about four to about twelve apertures.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said spacing of said plurality of receptacles is a range of about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said sample collection device is a multi-faced pyramid.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said sample collection device is a cylindrical cone.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polylactic acid, polyetherketoneketone, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinylidene fluoride, and combinations thereof.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said solid media is selected from the group consisting of soil, sand, sediment, waste, pure analytes, and combinations thereof.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said analyte is selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, energetics, chemical warfare agent simulants, drugs of abuse, pesticides, and combinations thereof.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said rotary disc is constructed of a non-conductive, chemically-inert plastic.

11. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein said plurality of receptacles having a first receptacle and a last receptacle, said first receptacle configured to removably-hold a first sample collection device, said last receptacle configured to removably-hold a last sample collection device;
said first sample collection device begins at a first position, said first position corresponding to a solvent fill position, wherein said syringe pump is in fluid communication with said solvent fill position, wherein said computer instructs said syringe pump to pump solvent into said first sample collection device;
wherein said computer instructs said controller to actuate said electric motor and advance said rotary disc about said central longitudinal axis, said advancement positioning a next sample collection device at said first position, said computer instructing said syringe pump to pump solvent into said next sample collection device;
said advancement positioning said first sample collection device at a second position, said second position corresponding to a high voltage application position, wherein said power source is electrically-coupled with said first sample collection device at said high voltage application position, wherein said computer instructs said mass spectrometer to apply a high voltage from said power source to said first sample collection device, said application of high voltage causing said solvent and resulting extracted products from said solid media containing said analyte to be sprayed into said sampling inlet;
wherein said mass spectrometer is configured to analyze said resulting extracted products from said first sample collection device to determine said analyte's chemical composition and concentration.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said advancement of said rotary disc, said pumping of solvent, said high voltage application, said application of high voltage, and said analysis of said resulting extracted products continue until said mass spectrometer has analyzed said resulting extracted products held in said last sample collection device.

13. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said syringe pump pumps solvent at a flow rate of about six milliliters per minute at said solvent fill position.

14. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said syringe pump pumps six milliliters of solvent at said solvent fill position.

15. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said high voltage is a range of about 4 kV to about 5 kV.

16. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said high voltage is about 7 kV.

17. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said high voltage is a range of about 4 kV to about 7 kV.

18. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said application of high voltage causing a voltage difference between said first sample collection device and said sampling inlet at said high voltage application position.

Assignees

• Us Navy
• The Board Of Trustees Of Illinois State Univ

Inventors

• Fedick Patrick W
• Brown Hilary M
• Mulligan Christopher C
• Mcdaniel Trevor J

Classifications

• H01J49/0413

  for automated handling · CPC title

• B01L3/50857

  using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples · CPC title

• B01L2300/12

  Specific details about materials · CPC title

• B01L2300/0803

  Disc shape · CPC title

• G01N1/08 Primary

  involving an extracting tool, e.g. core bit · CPC title