Patent ID: 9063100
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A portal for screening a target that includes a person, the portal comprising: a. a frame defining an interior region for accommodating the target, the frame having at least one vertical portion being an air duct for receiving air from the interior region, each duct being a vertical conduit extending substantially from the bottom of the frame to the top of the frame and having at least two openings at surfaces of the frame adapted to receive air carrying particles and vapor flowing downward along the surfaces at at least two different heights along the frame so the air received from each of the two heights is combined into a single flow of air through the duct, the air duct extending above the person located in the interior region; b. a blower module positioned above the interior region for directing a flow of air downward at the target in the interior region to dislodge particles and vapor on or surrounding the target, wherein the air flow carries the dislodged particles and vapor away from the target and to the openings; and c. a detection module in pneumatic communication with each air duct for sampling and processing air in the air ducts, the detection module comprising a pre-concentrator module for collecting and pre-concentrating the particles and vapor from the air, and a chemical sensor for detecting illicit substances by chemically analyzing the pre-concentrated particles and vapor.