Patent ID: 8358411

Claim:
A microbial detection and identification system comprising: a sampling area defined by a fluid input nozzle and a fluid exit nozzle, the sampling area including a fluid; a light source; a first optical detector; a second optical detector; a microbe collection filter in fluid communication with said sampling area, wherein the microbe collection filter has a front side facing the exit nozzle, and a rear side in fluid communication with a blower, which is adapted to supply sufficient negative pressure on the rear side of the microbe collection filter to evacuate the fluid from said sampling area as it is optically measured; wherein, said light source illuminates particles in said sampling area, said first detector detects light scattered into a predetermined angular range by particles of a predetermined size, said second detector measures light emitted by fluorescence from illuminated biological particles in said sample area, and said fluid is exposed to said microbe collection filter causing particles in said fluid to adhere to said microbe collection filter.