MBI bioaerosol vortex cassette

[0002] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/641,503, filed Aug. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,593, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The 25-millimeter (mm) cassette equipment with a 0.8-micron mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters are routinely used in the practice of industrial hygiene. More specifically, these cassettes are commonly used in the evaluation of airborne concentrations of asbestos. Bioaerosol agents can be recovered with the standard use of these cassettes, however; problems exist with regard to analyses of data collected by standard methodologies. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette is designed specifically for the collection and identification of airborne biological agents such as fungal spores and pollen. Typically most fungal bioaerosol components are above 1 micron in size. Hence, filters having a pore size just below 1 micron are useful in the filtration of fungal bioparticulate from the air without excessive air resistance. After collection, filters can be prepared for culture and/or viewed microscopically. Filtration technologies vastly improve recovery efficiency. In the past, direct filter examination has proven impractical because of the time required to collect samples, desiccation of recovered spores, as well as, increased man-hour and equipment costs. However, the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette represents a new design that concentrates fungal bioparticulate into a distinct zone on the receiving filter. The concentration of recovered agents in effect reduces the collection area of the MCE filter thus allowing a reduction in sampling time without compromising detection levels or filter integrity. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette capitalizes on standard and accepted sampling methodologies, but now expands the use of 0.8 micron MCE filtration collection methodology into the field of fungal and other bioaerosol identification and reporting.

[0004] Air sampling is used to quantify and qualify the contents of an environment. Laboratory analyses of the samples provide critical information relative to the potential exposure to harmful agents. Bioaerosol sampling focuses these processes on particles of biological origin. These agents include, but are not limited to, viable and non-viable fungal spores, bacteria, pollen, skin cells, fibers and insect parts.

[0005] The 25-millimeter (mm) cassette equipment with a 0.8-micron mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters are routinely used in the practice of industrial hygiene. More specifically, these cassettes are commonly used in the evaluation of airborne concentrations of asbestos. Bioaerosol agents can be recovered with the standard use of these cassettes, however; problems exist with regard to analyses of data collected by standard methodologies. Bioaerosol components are usually in far less airborne concentrations when compared to asbestos related industrial hygiene and/or abatement projects. Therefore, it becomes necessary to sample greater volumes of air in order to achieve appropriate detectable levels of bioaerosols using MCE filter technology. Airflow turbulence occur if 0.8-micron mixed cellulose ester filters are exposed to air velocities over 15 liters per minute (L/m) that result in non-uniform particle distribution.

[0006] Therefore, the rate of airflow cannot be adjusted over 15 L/m without potential damage to the MCE filter. Therefore, sample time is the only parameter available for manipulation. Under normal conditions, several hours of sampling are required in order to obtained an appropriate volume of air for bioaerosol analyses. These time constraints are problematic, especially when considering the costs related to on-site technical man-hours and/or the need for additional equipment for each individual sample location. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette has the unique ability to reduce sampling time to minutes without damaging MCE filters and thereby creating a highly efficient and effective bioaerosols recovery unit.

[0007] The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette is designed for a specific niche in the marketplace. Until recently, bioaerosol sampling has been performed using two basic types of collection methologies; filtration and impact. Filtration methodologies utilize filter cassettes that are equipped with filters having a variety of design, such as rectangular or oval or circular, components, and pore sizes. Typically, most fungal bioaerosol material components are above 1 micron in size. Hence, filters having a pore size just below 1 micron are useful in the filtration of fungal bioparticulate from the air without excessive air resistance. After collection, filters can be prepared for culture and/or viewed microscopically. The se of filters for fungal culture has proven to be inefficient with regard to recovery and is typically not recommends. Direct observation under a microscope is possible, however; typically the sampling time required to collect detectable amounts rendered this sampling technique as implausible. Impacting methods have emerged as the principal means to evaluate airborne fungal bioparticulate. Impacting occurs directly into agar-media surfaces for culture or on to special fixatives for direct microscopic examination. While some benefits exist with respect to culture recovery, the overall process inherently introduces a bias of recovery and generally requires at least 5-7 days for incubation prior to analysis. Impacting directly on to specific fixatives does allow the potential for immediate analysis, however, some limits exist with regard to identification and classification.

[0008] Regardless, impaction methods remain vulnerable to a variety of parameters that effect “recovery efficiency”. These factors include airflow, particle size, aerodynamics, etc. . . . No impacting sampler is 100% efficient. Therefore, some percentage bioparticulate merely passes through the sampler and remains undetected.

[0009] Filtration technologies vastly improve recovery efficiency. The selection of filter pore sizes that are below the dimensions of fungal particulate ensures retention. Culture from filters have demonstrate relatively low recovery and are not generally recommended for air sampling, however; direct microscopic examination of filters offers an improved recovery efficiency over traditional impacting methods. In the past, direct filter examination has proven impractical because of the time required to collect samples, desiccation of recovered spores, as well as, increased man-hour and equipment costs. However, the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette represents a new design that concentrates fungal bioparticulate into a distinct zone on the receiving filter. The concentration of recovered agents in effect reduces the collection area of the MCE filter thus allowing a reduction in sampling time without compromising detection levels or filter integrity. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette capitalizes on standard and accepted sampling methodologies, but now expands the use of 0.8 micron MCE filtration collection methodology into the field of fungal and other bioaerosol identification and reporting.

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a standard 25-millimeter (mm) cassette containing the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded front and side view of the 25-millimeter (mm) cassette containing the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette.

[0012] FIG. 3 are side front and side views of the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette with general dimensions.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded side view, similar to FIG. 2, of an additional aspect of this invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a standard 25-millimeter (mm) cassette containing the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette. The barrel (C) is wholly adaptable to existing designs and technologies utilizing 25-mm cassettes. Reference A identifies the in-port tubing cap. The tubing cap can be removed to allow the linking with tubing for remote collections in generally inaccessible spaces such as interstitial walls, crawl spaces, attics, etc. . . . Reference B identifies the intake cap. The intake cap (B) is removed prior to the collection air and/or surface samples. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette barrel (C) is attached to the filter canister (D). The filter canister contains a retention layer (G) supporting a 0.8-micron MCE filter (F) (not visible in this illustration). Reference E identifies the out-port tubing cap. The out-port tubing cap is removed to allow the attachment of a suction tube from a vacuum pump having a flow rate capacity between one (1) and fifteen (15) liters per minute. Operation of the vacuum pump draws air into the cassette. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette collects, funnels, concentrates, and deposit particulate onto the 0.8 micron MCE filter contained in the filter canister.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded front and side view of the 25-millimeter (mm) cassette containing the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette. The insert is wholly adaptable to existing designs and technologies utilizing 25-mm cassettes. Reference A identifies the in-port tubing cap. The tubing cap can be removed to allow the linking with tubing for remote collections in generally inaccessible spaces such as interstitial walls, crawl spaces, attics, etc. . . . Reference B identifies the intake cap. The intake cap (B) is removed prior to the collection air and/or surface samples. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette barrel (C) is attached to the filter canister (D). The filter canister contains a retention layer (G) supporting a 0.8-micron MCE filter (F). Reference E identifies the out-port tubing cap. The out-port tubing cap is removed to allow the attachment of a suction tube from a vacuum pump having a flow rate capacity between one (1) and fifteen (15) liters per minute. Operation of the vacuum pump draws air into the cassette. The MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette collects, funnels, concentrates, and deposit particulate onto the 0.8 micron MCE filter contained in the filter canister.

[0016] FIG. 3 are front and side views of the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette with general dimensions. The opening of the MBI Bioaerosol Vortex Cassette barrel has an upper diameter of 29.0 millimeters (mm). The upper 16-mm has two distinct beveled layers capable of attaching to standard a 25 mm intake cap. The upper layer is approximately 7.5 mm in length. Total length of the barrel is approximately 50.0 mm. The internal barrel has a design length of approximately 46.0 mm which will terminate approximately 1-2 mm from the surface of the 0.8-micron MCE filter contained in the filter canister. However, the mechanism will be design such that the insert can actual touch the surface of the filter to enhance collection recovery under certain conditions. The insert begins as a circular structure that transitions into a vortex that narrows from top to bottom. The illustration indicates the bottom opening has outer diameter of between 5 and 15.0 mm and generally designed to create a filter deposition trace having a diameter of 5 and 15 mm. However, these dimensions will vary in production, thus allowing the insert to specifically target particles of specific mass and aerodynamic character.