Patent ID: 11885786
Assignee: SIGMA SCIENTIFIC LLC
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 16:
17. An olfactometer comprising:
a) an enclosure comprising a floor, wall, and lid, which together define an enclosed space containing gaseous fluid,
b) one or more defined background odor zones within said enclosed space,
c) two or more discrete odor zones within said enclosed space, wherein each discrete odor zone is surrounded by said background odor zone and is spatially separated from and does not overlap or intersect with another discrete odor zone within said enclosed space,
d) one or more inlets for delivering gaseous fluid, and one or more outlets for removing gaseous fluid, wherein at least one of said inlets for delivering gaseous fluid comprises an inner pipe, and at least one of said outlets to remove said gaseous fluid comprises an outer pipe having a greater diameter than the inner pipe, and wherein the inner pipe extends within and protrudes through the outer pipe; a means for controlling composition of gaseous fluid; a means of controlling pressure and rate of flow of gaseous fluid through the inlets and outlets,
e) a means for inserting and releasing at least one live organism test subject into said enclosed space, and
f) a means for detecting a sensory response to one or more of the discrete odor zones by said at least one live organism, wherein the size, shape, position, uniformity, and intensity of the discrete odor zones and defined background zones are established by size, position, and geometry of the inlets and outlets, and by controlling the composition, pressure, and rate of flow of gaseous fluid through the inlets and outlets.