Abstract: A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

Abstract: A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting pathogens and particles in a fluid in which particle size and intrinsic fluorescence of a simple particle is determined, comprising a sample cell; a light source on one side of the sample cell for sending a focused beam of light through the sample, whereby portions of the beam of light are scattered at various angles by particles of various sizes present in the sample area; a particle size detector positioned in the light path for detecting a portion of forward scattered light; a pair of fluorescence detectors positioned off axis from the beam of light; and a pair of elliptical mirrors positioned such that an intersection of the incoming particle stream and the light beam are at one foci of each ellipsoid, and one of said pair of fluorescence detectors lies at the other foci.

Abstract: A particle detection and classification system is disclosed. The system determines the size of measured particles by measuring light scattered by the particles. The system simultaneously determines whether measured particles are biological or non-biological by measuring fluorescent light from the particles. The system uses a parabolic reflector, and optionally, a spherical reflector to collect fluorescence light.

Abstract: A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

Abstract: The system includes an excitation source for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a source wavelength. A first wavelength selective device is positioned to be impinged by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The first wavelength selective device is constructed to transmit at least a portion of any radiation having the source wavelength and to reflect radiation of other wavelengths. A medium containing particles is positioned to be impinged by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. At least a portion of the beam of electromagnetic radiation becomes scattered within the medium, the scattered electromagnetic radiation including forward scattered electromagnetic radiation and backward scattered electromagnetic radiation. An optical detector is positioned to receive backward and/or forward scattered electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A particle detector has a sample area of cross section no in excess of about 2 mm for containing environmental fluid, a light source on one side of the sample area for directing a collimated or nearly collimated beam of light through the sample air or water so that part of the light beam will be scattered by any particles present in the air or water while the remainder remains unscattered, and a beam diverting device on the opposite side of the sample area for diverting or blocking at least the unscattered portion of the beam of light and directing at least part of the scattered light onto a detector. The detector produces output pulses in which each pulse has a height proportional to particle size and a pulse height discriminator obtains the size distribution of airborne particles detected in the air or water sample at a given time from the detector output. The detector may also include a device for discriminating between biological agents and inorganic particles.

Abstract: A pathogen detector has a sample area for containing environmental air, a light source on one side of the sample area for directing a collimated beam of light through the sample air so that part of the light beam will be scattered by any particles present in the air while the remainder remains unscattered, and a beam blocking device on the opposite side of the sample area for blocking at least the unscattered portion of the beam of light and directing at least part of the scattered light onto a detector. The detector produces output pulses in which each pulse has a height proportional to particle size and a pulse height discriminator obtains the size distribution of airborne particles detected in the air sample at a given time from the detector output. An alarm signal is activated if the number of particles within a predetermined pathogen size range of around 1 to 7 ?m exceeds a predetermined normal level.