Patent ID: 8071385
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A portable chemical analytical apparatus, comprising: a disposable test swipe which, upon contact with one or more chemicals in concert with heating and time profiles, displays a sequence of a plurality of color reactions unique to multiple analytes, including explosives, drugs, or household chemicals; a programmable thin-film heater to accurately heat and hold the disposable test swipe to a plurality of predetermined temperatures each at a predetermined hold time and then return to a start temperature; a clamp to uniformly secure the disposable test swipe to the thin-film heater; one or more pumps programmed to automatically dispense repeatable and accurate volumes on one or more chemicals from a disposable cartridge onto the disposable test swipe in concert with heating and time profiles to evoke a sequence of a plurality of color reactions unique to predetermined multiple analytes, including explosives, drugs, or household chemicals; a programmable fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe but leaving vapors immediately in contact with the swipe; and an automated programmable camera and optics system to automatically and uniformly light and capture a sequence of multiple images of color changes occurring over heat, chemical reaction and time profiles on the test swipe for an immediate automated analysis to specifically and uniquely identify an analyte of interest from the predetermined multiple analytes and for real-time viewing on a display screen by an operator providing a secondary level of assessment.