Patent ID: 9347927
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for providing an air sample associated with a contamination level of a target surface to an analyzer, comprising: directing a stream of air along a first air flow path in a device between an air supply source and an exit opening at an end of the device; controlling, with a processor, a flow rate of the stream of air by controlling a pressure of air from the air supply source; heating the stream of air upstream of the exit opening at the end of the device; directing the stream of heated air from the exit opening toward a target surface, an impingement of the stream of heated air on the target surface causing a release of a target substance by raising a vapor pressure of the target substance, at least a portion of the target substance being entrained in the stream of heated air; collecting a volume of return air via a second air flow path in the device, the volume of return air being at least a portion of the stream of heated air with the at least the portion of the target substance entrained therein, the second air flow path being a separate and distinct air flow path from the first air flow path; directing the return air via the second air flow path to an air analyzer for analysis of the target substance as an indication of a contamination level of the target surface; receiving feedback, with the processor, from the air analyzer regarding a volume of entrained components from the target substance detected in the return air; and adjusting, with the processor, a flow rate and a temperature of the stream of heated air based on the feedback.