GB2575420A

GB2575420A - Use of a Direction Signal in Controlling a Device for Detecting a Desorbed Sample

Info

Publication number: GB2575420A
Application number: GB1807043.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Fitzgerald John
Original assignee: Smiths Detection Watford Ltd
Current assignee: Smiths Detection Watford Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-30
Filing date: 2018-04-30
Publication date: 2020-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-30
Also published as: GB201807043D0; WO2019211597A1; GB2575420B

Abstract

Detection device 100 has an inlet passage 142 for receiving vapour desorbed from a sample 162 and delivering it to a substance detector 140. A direction signal obtainer, perhaps a direction or orientation sensor 112, detects a signal indicating a direction from a sample carrier to an opening of the inlet passage. A controller 150 enables or inhibits desorption based on the direction signal, perhaps by communicating with and providing power to a desorber 130, to enable desorption if the direction signal indicates that the sample is beneath the opening. A holder sensor 122 may detect a sample carrier 160 in a holder 120, perhaps for a swab or probe, which may be attachable to the device. The device may be handheld, and have a user interface 103; a user may provide input to initiate or control desorption. The device or the sample carrier may comprise the desorber and/or the controller.

Description

Apparatus and Method

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods, and more particularly to detection devices and control systems for detection devices, and to methods of controlling detection devices.

Background

There are numerous different spectrometry-related techniques for identifying the presence of a substance of interest in a given sample. Implementations of these techniques may be used for detecting the presence of chemical warfare agents (‘CWA’) or toxic industrial chemicals (‘TIC’). For such implementations, a sample is typically provided on some form of substrate. The substrate and sample are then heated to desorb the sample from the substrate in the form of a vapour. This vapour is then passed to a detector which measures properties of this vapour and detects the presence of a substance of interest on the basis of these measurements. For example, in an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS’), ionized molecules may be identified based on their mobility in a carrier buffer gas. Detection devices are known which utilise these techniques for detecting the presence of hazardous or illegal materials, such as CWAs and TICs.

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide handheld devices so that personnel can easily deploy them in the field. However, detection devices such as ion mobility spectrometers and mass spectrometers may comprise complex electronics and employ high voltages and strong magnetic fields. The design of such devices may therefore be subject to a variety of constraints. In addition, whilst meeting these significant technical constraints, detection devices must also be able to be deployed easily and reliably by in the field. Particularly where use in the field relates to the detection of threats in a military or security context, reliability and ease of use become very significant factors.

Summary

Aspects of the disclosure are set out in the independent claims and optional features are set out in the dependent claims. Aspects of the invention may be provided in conjunction with each other, and features of one aspect may be applied to other aspects.

In an aspect, there is provided a control system for a detection system. The detection system comprises: (i) a holder arranged to hold a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed, and (ii) a detection device comprising: an inlet for receiving vapour from the desorbed sample and a detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in the vapour. The control system comprises a sensor arranged for sensing a direction of the inlet relative to the sample carrier and may be configured to enable, or disable, operation of a desorber to desorb the sample based on this sensed direction.

This can allow desorption only to take place when the sample carrier is positioned so that vapour desorbed from a sample can be provided efficiently to the inlet. For example, the control system may be configured to enable desorption only in the event that the sample is disposed beneath it (e.g. lower than it, e.g. vertically beneath it).

Brief Description of Drawings

Some embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detection device with a sample carrier held in a holder.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a detector.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a detection device with a sample carrier held in a holder and having a control system coupled thereto.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a detection device with a sample carrier held in a holder.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a detection device with a sample carrier held in a holder.

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a section through a detection device with a sample carrier held in a holder, and a plan view of the same.

In the drawings like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements.

Specific Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of a detection system. The detection system comprises a detection device 100 housing a detector 140.

The device 100 comprises an inlet passage 142 (e.g. a conduit, such as a tube or channel) for receiving vapour desorbed from a sample 162 carried on a sample carrier 160, and providing the vapour to a sampling inlet 143, such as a pinhole inlet or membrane inlet, which may be disposed in a wall of the inlet passage 142. The sampling inlet 143 links the inlet passage 142 to the detector 140. The sampling inlet 143 can thus be used to take samples of vapour from the inlet passage 142 and provide them to the detector 140.

The system may include a holder 120 for holding a sample carrier (such as a swab or sample collection probe) adjacent to a mouth of the inlet passage 142. The detection device 100 comprises a desorber 130 for desorbing a sample from such a sample carrier. The vapour desorbed from the sample can thus enter the passage 142 from where it can be sampled at the sampling inlet 143 to be provided to the detector 140 for detection of a substance of interest in the desorbed vapour.

The device 100 shown in Figure 1 may comprises a main body 102, housing the detector 140 and having shoulders 106 and a head 104 which protrudes from the shoulders 106 at one end of the device. The mouth, or opening, of the inlet passage 142 may be located on the head 104, which may be capped by a movable cover arranged to enable the mouth of the inlet passage 142 to be opened and closed.

Such a detection device 100 may be handheld, for example, the main body 102 may be configured to be held in one hand of an adult human operator. A user interface 103 may be disposed on a side of the device’s main body 102 adjacent, and perhaps at right-angles to, the end which carries the head 104 and inlet 142. The user interface 103 may be located so that an operator can hold the device, perhaps one-handed, with the user interface 103 facing up toward them, while the head 104 points away from them. The user interface 103 may comprise input means such as buttons, through which a user may input commands to control the detection device. The user interface 103 may also have an output, such as a display. Users may wish to operate the user interface 103, and to see its output, when a sample carrier has been inserted into the holder 120 and/or while the detector 140 is analysing a sample.

The device 100 comprises a control system 110 which includes a controller 150 and a direction signal obtainer, such as an orientation sensor 112. The direction signal obtainer is configured to obtain a signal indicating the direction from (a) a sample on the sample carrier to (b) the opening of the inlet passage 142. For example, if the holder fixes the position of the sample carrier with respect to the inlet passage 142, the direction can be determined by sensing the orientation of the device 100 as a whole, and inferring the direction from that. For example, the orientation sensor may be held in fixed orientation relative to the holder 120 to provide this function. The orientation sensor 112 is connected to the controller 150, and the controller 150 is coupled for controlling the desorber 130 - e.g. by enabling or inhibiting the provision of power to a heater of the desorber 130. The controller 150 may also be connected to the holder sensor 122 if one is present.

The holder 120 may be disposed on a shoulder 106 of the main body 102 for holding a sample carrier adjacent the mouth, or opening, of the inlet passage 142. The holder 120 may also comprise a gripping mechanism for securing the sample carrier 160 in place. The holder 120 may be a removable component, or it may be integrated with (e.g. provided as part of) the detection device 100.

The desorber 130 may be disposed in, or next to, the holder 120 for desorbing a sample 162 on a sample carrier 160 held in the holder 120. The desorber 130 may comprise a heater and/or any other suitable desorbing means for directing thermal energy onto a sample in the holder 120. Examples of heaters include resistive heaters, such as trace heaters and sources of infrared light such as infrared lasers.

The orientation sensor 112 may comprise an attitude sensor, a tilt accelerometer, a tilt switch, or any other orientation sensing device. The orientation sensor 112 is configured to provide a signal indicating its orientation to the controller. The controller 150 is configured to determine, based on this orientation signal, the direction from the inlet passage opening 142 to the sample carrier 160. For example, if the position of the sample carrier is fixed in relation to the device, the orientation sensor may be fixed to the body of the device, so that the controller can determine this direction from the orientation of the detection device 100 as a whole (as shown in Fig. 1). The controller 150 is further configured to determine, based on this direction, whether a sample held on a sample carrier in the holder is beneath the opening of the inlet passage. Based on this determination, the controller can select whether to enable or disable operation of the disrober. For example, the controller may be configured so that, in the event that the sample is beneath the opening of the inlet passage, power is provided to the heater of the desorber 130.

Operation of this detection system will now be described. A sample can be obtained using the sample carrier 160. The loaded sample carrier 160 can then be coupled to the detection device 100, for example by arranging the sample carrier 160 in the holder 120.

A signal can then be provided to the controller requesting actuation of the desorber 130 to desorb the sample. This may be provided by a user command, e.g. received via the user interface 103 and/or a signal from the holder sensor 122. For example, if a holder sensor 122 is provided, the controller may enable operation of the desorber 130 only in the event that the holder sensor 122 indicates that a sample carrier 160 is present in the holder 120. It may then operate the desorber in response to a user command from the user interface 103.

However, the controller also obtains a direction signal from the orientation sensor 112 and determines, from this direction signal, the orientation of the sample carrier relative to the inlet passage opening 142. The controller 150 can then determine whether to enable or inhibit operation of the desorber 130 based on this orientation.

It will be appreciated in the context of the present disclosure that the signal from the holder sensor 122 is optional, but may serve as a check to ensure that operation of the desorber 130 to desorb a sample only occurs when a sample carrier 160 is present. This check may occur before or after the orientation has been determined.

The determined orientation may be used to control whether or not to actuate (e.g. turn on) the desorber 130. The controller 150 may actuate the desorber 130 only when the determined orientation is within a selected orientation range. This range may be selected so that desorption of the sample 162 occurs in situations where the sample 162 is located beneath the inlet passage opening 142 so that sufficient vapour rising from the sample carrier can be drawn into the inlet. This may provide improved efficiency and/or sensitivity of the detection device 100, as it may enable a greater proportion of vapour generated by a sample to be taken in to a handheld detector 140.

In the event that the controller receives a user command to operate the desorber 130, but the the orientation is outside the allowed range, the controller 150 may inhibit actuation of the desorber 130 until the sensor 112 indicates that the orientation is within the selected range. It may also provide an audible or visible alert indicating this to the user.

Once it is determined that actuation of the desorber 130 should occur, the controller 150 causes a heater of the desorber 130 to direct heat onto the sample carrier. Vapour desorbed from the sample 162 travels into the mouth of the inlet passage 142 to the sampling inlet 143 and into the detector 140 where it can be analysed to test for the presence of a substance of interest in the sample.

Operation of one example of the detector 140 will now be described with reference to Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of a part section through a detector in the form of an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) 280. Of course, this is just one example and other types of detectors may be used such as mass spectrometers (e.g. time-of flight mass spectrometers), Raman spectrometers, chromatography devices, and other types of detectors.

The ion mobility spectrometer 280 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes an ioniser 288 that is separated from a drift chamber 292 by a gate 282. The gate 282 can control passage of ions from the ioniser 288 into the drift chamber 292. As illustrated, the IMS 280 includes an inlet 281 for enabling material to be introduced from the sample of interest to the ioniser 280 (e.g. via the inlet passage opening 142).

In the example illustrated in Fig. 2, the drift chamber 292 lies between the ioniser 288 and a detector 287, so that ions can reach the detector 287 by traversing the drift chamber 292. The drift chamber 292 may comprise a series of drift electrodes 283, 284 for applying a voltage profile along the drift chamber 292 to move ions from the ioniser 288 along the drift chamber 292 toward the detector 287.

The IMS 280 may be configured to provide a flow of drift gas in a direction generally opposite an ion's path of travel to the detector 287. For example, the drift gas can flow from adjacent the detector 287 toward the gate 282. As illustrated, a drift gas inlet 289 and drift gas outlet 290 can be used to pass drift gas through the drift chamber. Example drift gases include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, helium, air, air that is re-circulated (e.g., air that is cleaned and/or dried) and so forth.

The detector 287 may be coupled to provide a signal to a detection controller 294. Current flow from the detector 287 can be used by the controller 294 to infer that ions have reached the detector 287, and a characteristic of the ions can be determined based on the time for ions to pass from the gate 282 along the drift chamber 292 to the detector 287. Examples of a detector 287 are configured to provide a signal indicating that ions have arrived at the detector 287. For example, the detector may comprise a conductive electrode (such as a faraday plate), which may be charged to catch ions.

Electrodes 283,284 may be arranged to guide ions toward the detector 287, for example the drift electrodes 283,284 may comprise rings which may be arranged around the drift chamber 292 to focus ions onto the detector 287. Although the example of Fig. 2 includes only two drift electrodes 283,284, in some examples a plurality of electrodes may be used, or a single electrode may be used in combination with the detector 287 to apply an electric field to guide ions toward the detector 287.

The spectrometer 280 is shown comprising ion modifier electrodes 285,286 arranged in the drift chamber, although it is to be appreciated in the context of this disclosure that these may not be included.

As shown in Fig. 2 a voltage provider 293 is coupled to be controlled by the controller 294. The voltage provider 293 may also be coupled to provide voltages to the ioniser 288 to enable material from a sample to be ionised. In an embodiment the voltage provider 293 is coupled to the gate electrode 282 to control the passage of ions from the ionisation chamber into the drift chamber 292. The voltage provider 293 can be coupled to the drift electrodes 283,284 for providing a voltage profile for moving ions from the ioniser 288 toward the detector 287.

As noted above, the drift electrodes 283,284 may provide a voltage profile that moves ions along the drift chamber so that the ions travel from the ioniser toward the detector. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the first ion modifier electrode 285 and the second ion modifier electrode 286 can be spaced apart in the direction of travel of the ions.

The spectrometer and the voltage provider may be contained in a common housing. In spectrometry ion counts may be measured by peaks on a plasmagram, and the height of a peak may be an indicator of the number of ions reaching the detector at a particular time. Ions which are produced by ion modification may be termed “daughter ions”, and ions from which daughter ions are produced may be termed “parent ions”

As noted above, other types of detector may be used. For example, a mass spectrometer may be used such as a time of flight mass-spectrometer. In such spectrometers ions mass to charge ratio may be inferred from their time of flight through a vacuum. In other types of mass spectrometer, ions maybe separated in other ways based on their mass to charge ratios, for example by deflection under electric or magnetic field.

Fig. 3 shows a detection device 300, such as that illustrated in Fig. 1. The functionality and operation of the detection device 300 is the same as that of detection device 100 of Fig. 1. The structure is also the same other than in that the control system 310 is disposed in a detachable accessory 370, which in Fig. 3 is attached to the detection device 300.

Other than as described below with reference to Fig. 3, the control system 310 may have the same functionality as the control system 110 described with reference to Fig. 1, and may operate in the same way.

The detection device 300 comprises the detachable accessory 370, which may be attached to the detection device 300. The accessory 370 comprises the control system 310, which includes a sensor 312 and a controller 314. The accessory 370 may comprise a coupling 372, for example located on one surface of the accessory 370. The accessory 370 may be electrically coupled to at least one of the controller 150 and the desorber 130 of the detection device 300.

The accessory 370 may be configured to sense an orientation (e.g. using sensor 312) of the detection device 300. The accessory 370 is arranged to be coupled to the detection device 300 so that it may send signals to the detection device 300 (e.g. to the desorber 130 or to the controller 150).

However, for the detection device 300 of Fig. 3, the attachment 370 is able to sense the orientation, and an indication of this sensed orientation may be sent to the controller 150 of the detection device 300. For example, the accessory 370 may be coupled to the detection device 300 to provide an electrical connection between the control system 310 of the attachment 370 and the controller 150 of the detection device 300. Communication may comprise the sending and receiving of signals, and it is to be appreciated that this could also be done wirelessly, in which case such an electrical connection may not be necessary between the controller 150 of the detection device 300 and the control system 310 of the attachment 370. The accessory 370 may comprise an electrical coupling for receiving power from and/or providing power to the detection device 300.

In operation, the controller 150 may control actuation of the desorber 130 based on signals received from the control system 310 of the attachment 370. For example, the controller 314 of the accessory 370 may receive signals from the orientation sensor 312 (e.g. signals indicative of an orientation of the detection device 300) and send signals to the controller 150 of the detection device 300 based on these received signals. This may comprise the controller 314 of the accessory 370 sending a direction signal to the controller 150 of the detection device. Based on this signal, the controller 150 may enable or inhibit operation of the desorber 130 of the detection device 300. Operation of the device 300 to desorb the sample and to detect the presence of a substance of interest in vapour from the desorbed sample may be the same as the operation of Fig. 1 described above.

It is to be appreciated in the context of the present disclosure that the coupling 372 may take any suitable form for enabling the attachment 370 to be connected to the detection device 300. The coupling 372 may correspond to a coupling feature of the detection device 300. Although the coupling 372 is shown as being inserted into the detection device 300, other couplings may be used such as use of a clip or mechanical gripper. This may enable the provision of a kit for retrofitting the control system 310 to a detection device 300. It is to be appreciated that the location of the attachment 370 shown in Fig. 3 is not to be considered as limiting, and the attachment 370 may be attached to the detection device 300 at any suitable location, such as on the sides of the main body 102, the shoulders 106 and/or the head 104 of the detection device 300. Additionally, for examples where the control system is provided in a sample carrier 160, the attachment may be arranged to be attached to a sample carrier 160.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a detection device 400. The structure of the detection device 400 is the same as the detection device 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 other than that a desorber 430 is part of a sample carrier 460, which is illustrated as being held in a holder 120. The functionality and operation of the detection device 400 is also the same as that of detection device 100 of Figure 1 other than that communication between the control system 110 and the desorber 430 involves communication between the control system 110 and a component of the sample carrier 460.

The desorber 430 of the sample carrier 460 is located proximal to the sample 162. The desorber 430 is configured to communicate with (e.g. to receive signals from) the control system 110 of the detection device 400 so that actuation of the desorber 430 may be controlled by the control system 110 (e.g. the controller 150). Operation of the device 400 may occur as described above, except the controller 150 will communicate with the desorber 430 of the sample carrier 460 for actuation. For example, the holder 120 may provide a connection between the controller 150 and the desorber 430.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a detection device 500. The structure of the detection device 500 is the same as the detection device 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 other than that both a desorber 530 and a control system 510 are located in a sample carrier 560, which is illustrated as being held in a holder 520. The control system 510 comprises an orientation sensor 512 and a controller 551. The functionality and operation of the detection device 500 is also the same as that of detection device 100 of Figure 1 other than that communication (e.g. sending and receiving of signals) between the control system 510 and the desorber 530 may be contained within the sample carrier 560. Other than as described below with reference to Fig. 5, the control system 510 may have the same functionality as the control system 110 described with reference to Fig. 1, and may operate in the same way.

The control system 510 of the sample carrier 560 may enable desorption of the sample 162 based on an orientation sensed by the orientation sensor 512. For example, there may be a fixed structural relationship between the sample carrier 560 and the detection device 500 (e.g. via the holder 520). The controller 510 may receive a signal indicating that the sample carrier 560 is held by the holder 520 (e.g. the signal may be received from reception sensor 522 or controller 550 of the detection device 500). Based on the coupling and the fixed structural relationship, an orientation of the sample carrier 560 when held by the holder 520 may enable the determination of an orientation of a displacement of an inlet passage opening 142 relative to the sample carrier 560. Either controller may control operation of the desorber 530 based on the determined orientation in the manner described above.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a top half of a detection device 600 which is suitable for use with any of the detection devices described herein. The detection device 600 has a sample carrier 160 held in a holder 620 of a head 604 of the device 600. As shown in the lower portion of Fig. 6, the head 604 may rotate relative to a main body 102 of the device 600. For example, the head 604 may be rotated into a locked position in which a detector of the device 600 of is accessible to vapour from a sample carried on the sample carrier 160. The functionality and operation of the detection device 600 is the same as that of detection device 100 of Fig. 1.

The detection device 600 may comprise an orientation sensor which senses an orientation of the device 600 itself. This orientation of the device may not be an orientation of a displacement of an inlet passage opening 142 relative to the sample carrier 160. However, there may be a known relationship between the orientation of the device 600 and the orientation of the head 604 (e.g. of the head in the rotated position). Actuation of the device may only occur in the event that the head 604 is at a selected rotation (e.g. in a manner comparable to operation of the reception sensor described above). It is to be appreciated that this is merely exemplary, and that with a known spatial relationship between components, an orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier may be determined based on the measurement of an orientation of another component.

It is to be appreciated in the context of this disclosure that an orientation sensor may take many forms. For example, relative orientation sensors may be used and/or absolute orientation sensors may be used. As one example, an orientation sensor may measure three values of a component whose orientation is to be determined: (i) the azimuthal (yaw), (ii) the pitch and (iii) the roll of that component. For example, these may be determined using suitable means such as accelerometers and pressure sensors. On the basis of these measurements the overall orientation may be determined. This could be expressed in the form of the rotation that is required to revert the component back to a reference orientation (e.g. back to the vertical). In some examples, relative orientation sensors may provide an indication of orientation relative to a known reference such as a reference orientation or axis, for example the direction of a gravitational force could be used, or a magnetometer could be used to provide a measurement relative to the magnetic field of the earth. An orientation sensor may provide an indication of whether or not the orientation of a displacement of an inlet passage opening relative to a sample carrier is such that the sample carrier is beneath the inlet passage opening. This indication may show how close said orientation is to the sample carrier being directly (or vertically) beneath the inlet passage opening (e.g. with no lateral offset).

The above description has made explicit reference to an orientation sensor being used for the sensor arranged to sense a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier. However, it is to be appreciated in the context of this disclosure that this is not to be construed as limiting. A sensor may be selected which provides an indication of the displacement (e.g. whether or not a sample carried on the sample carrier is beneath the inlet passage opening). For example, optical sensors, eddy current sensors, ultrasonic sensor or laser focus sensors may be used which can provide an indication of the separation between the two. Once this separation is identified, and thus the displacement of one from the other is known, it may be compared to a reference direction (e.g. an indication of the direction of gravitational force). In examples a suitable position sensor may be used, and/or one may be used for each component (the sample carrier/holder and the inlet passage opening). This may enable two positions to be determined, and based on the relative offset of these two positions, the displacement may be determined.

It will be appreciated from the discussion above that the embodiments shown in the figures are merely exemplary, and include features which may be generalised, removed or replaced as described herein and as set out in the claims. With reference to the drawings in general, it will be appreciated that schematic functional block diagrams are used to indicate functionality of systems and apparatus described herein. In addition the processing functionality may also be provided by devices which are supported by an electronic device. It will be appreciated however that the functionality need not be divided in this way, and should not be taken to imply any particular structure of hardware other than that described and claimed below. The function of one or more of the elements shown in the drawings may be further subdivided, and/or distributed throughout apparatus of the disclosure. In some embodiments the function of one or more elements shown in the drawings may be integrated into a single functional unit.

For example, embodiments illustrated show a control system being made up of a controller and an orientation sensor. However, it is to be appreciated that this division is not to be considered limiting, and their functionality may be provided by a single component, or multiple different components. Likewise, communication is discussed between the controller and different components of the device; although, the exact communication path is not to be considered limiting. For example, the orientation sensor may communicate directly with other components; there may be no separate controller connected to the sensor (or any other components). For example, an orientation sensor may communicate directly with the holder sensor, desorber or components of the sample carrier.

It is to be appreciated that although illustrated in the figs, a holder sensor is not an essential feature of the device. For example controlling actuation of the desorber may be done in response to a command received from a user of the device (e.g. it may be input via a user interface 103). There may not need to be any check that the sample carrier is present. It is also to be appreciated that the exact location of the orientation sensor, as shown in the figs, is not to be considered as limiting. The exact orientation which is sensed may vary for different configurations. The orientation sensor may provide a measurement, on the basis of which an indication of the orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier may be determined. It is to be appreciated in the context of this disclosure that such a measurement may be provided based on a number of different sensed orientations of different components of the device/attachment/sample carrier. It is to be appreciated in the context of the present disclosure that orientation and attitude may be considered synonymous.

As will be appreciated by the skilled reader in the context of the present disclosure, each of the examples described herein may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Any feature of any aspects of the disclosure may be combined with any of the other aspects of the disclosure. For example method aspects may be combined with apparatus aspects, and features described with reference to the operation of particular elements of apparatus may be provided in methods which do not use those particular types of apparatus. In addition, each of the features of each of the embodiments is intended to be separable from the features which it is described in combination with, unless it is expressly stated that some other feature is essential to its operation. Each of these separable features may of course be combined with any of the other features of the embodiment in which it is described, or with any of the other features or combination of features of any of the other embodiments described herein. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the invention.

Although not shown in the drawings, the device 100 may include a cap which at least partially covers the head 104 of the device 100. The cap may be arranged to be movable from: a first position in which it obstructs access to the inlet passage opening 142 from external to the device 100, and a second position in which it allows access to the inlet passage opening 142 from external to the device 100. For example, the cap may be rotated between the two positions, or a translation of the cap may enable it to move between the two positions. The cap may cover the mouth when the device is not in use.

Any controller described herein may be provided by any control apparatus such as a general purpose processor configured with a computer program product configured to program the processor to operate according to any one of the methods described herein. In addition, the functionality of the controller may be provided by an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, or by a field programmable gate array, FPGA, or by a configuration of logic gates, or by any other control apparatus.

In an aspect, there is provided a control system for a detection system. The detection system comprises: (i) a holder arranged to hold a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed, and (ii) a detection device comprising: an inlet passage opening for receiving vapour from the desorbed sample and a detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in the vapour. The control system comprises a sensor arranged for sensing a direction (e.g. a displacement, or an orientation of a displacement) from the inlet passage opening to the sample carrier. The control system is configured so that desorption of the sample is enabled based on the sensed direction.

In an aspect, there is provided a detection device comprising: (i) a holder arranged to hold a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed; (ii) an inlet passage opening for receiving vapour from the desorbed sample; (iii) a detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in the vapour; and (iv) a control system comprising a sensor arranged for sensing a direction (e.g. a displacement or an orientation of a displacement) of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier. The device is configured so that desorption of the sample is enabled based on the sensed direction.

The sensor for sensing a displacement may comprise an orientation sensor. The orientation sensor may be configured to sense an orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier. Sensing the orientation of the displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier may comprise sensing an orientation of the detection device. A sensed orientation (e.g. of the device/sample carrier/attachment) may provide an indication of the displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier, e.g. the displacement may be determined based on the sensed orientation.

Sensing an orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier may comprise sensing an orientation of the detection device. A different attitude may be sensed such as an attitude of another component (e.g. the sample carrier or an attachment for attaching a control system to the detection device). The attitude sensed may provide an indication of an orientation based on which the orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier may be determined. For example, there may be a known structural relationship between the orientation sensed and the orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier. The orientation sensor may be configured to sense an orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier.

Enabling desorption of the sample based on the sensed orientation may comprise enabling desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that the sensed orientation is in a selected orientation range. Enabling desorption of the sample based on the sensed orientation may comprise inhibiting desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that the sensed orientation is not in the selected orientation range. Desorption of the sample may be controlled (e.g. a desorber may be turned on or off) so that desorption may occur selectively, for example under the control of the control system. The control system may be configured to communicate with a desorber for desorbing the sample to enable desorption of the sample based on orientation. The control system may be configured to selectively operate the desorber based on the orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier. Communication with the desorber may comprise sending an ‘on’ signal configured to provide power to the desorber. Providing power may be direct or indirect, e.g. it may trigger a power source to provide power to the desorber, or the signal itself may be followed with or form part of power being provided to the desorber. For example, this may comprise inductive transfer of power to a desorber (e.g. to provide heat).

The selected orientation range may be selected based on the holder (or a sample carrier held in the holder) being beneath the inlet passage opening. The holder being beneath the inlet passage opening may comprise the two being aligned (e.g. vertically beneath), or there being a horizontal offset of one from the other.

The detection device may comprise a holder sensor configured to provide an indication of the presence of a sample carrier in the holder. Enabling desorption of the sample may be based on an indication from the holder sensor. Enabling desorption of the sample based on an indication from the holder sensor may comprise enabling desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that a sample carrier is present in the holder. Enabling desorption of the sample based on an indication from the holder sensor may comprise inhibiting desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that a sample carrier is not present in the holder. The device may be configured to check that a sample carrier is held in the holder before turning on a desorber (e.g. to avoid turning on a desorber when a sample carrier is not held in the holder).

Enabling desorption of the sample may comprise triggering desorption of the sample, e.g. it may comprise controlling a desorber to desorb the sample, such as by turning on the desorber. For example, enabling may comprise desorption of the sample occurring once an indication is received that the orientation of the displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier is in the selected range. Inhibiting desorption of the sample may comprise preventing desorption of the sample, e.g. it may provide an override function so that an external command to turn on the desorber is not followed as long as the orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier remains outside of the selected range. Enabling desorption of the sample may comprise actuation or preparing/readying of the detection device so that it is ready to take a measurement of vapour from the sample. For example, enabling desorption of the sample may comprise initiating pumping/sucking of drift gas within an IMS of the detection device.

The control system may be configured to be attachable to the detection device. The control system may comprise a coupling for attachment or mounting to the device. Such a coupling may provide an electrical connection between the control system and the detection device. The control system may be configured to communicate with a controller of the detection device to enable desorption of the sample.

The detection device may comprise a desorber for desorbing the sample carried on the sample carrier. The sample carrier may comprise a desorber for desorbing the sample carried on the sample carrier. There may be more than desorber used. The control system may be configured to communicate (e.g. to send signals to and receive signals from) with the desorber. The detection device may comprise (or be) a handheld device. The detection device may comprise a controller configured to enable desorption of the sample (e.g. to control actuation of a desorber) in response to receiving a signal from the orientation sensor.

The holder may comprise at least one of: (i) an holder for a swab, and (ii) an holder for a probe. The sample carrier may be in the form of a wand or other suitable handheld instrument which may carry a sample, and be connectable to the detection device to enable desorption of the sample in a region proximal to the inlet passage opening.

The detection device may comprise a user interface arranged for a user to provide input to control desorption of the sample. Desorption of the sample may be controlled based on both: (i) user input and (ii) the sensed displacement. In response to receiving user input to initiate desorption of the sample, initiation of desorption of the sample is controlled based on the sensed displacement. The user interface may be arranged on a major surface of the device, and the device may be able to control (e.g. trigger) desorption of the sample irrespective of the direction in which the user interface is facing.

In an aspect, there is provided a method of controlling operation of a detection device. The detection device comprises: (i) a holder arranged to hold a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed, (ii) an inlet passage opening for receiving vapour from the desorbed sample, and (iii) a detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in the vapour. The method comprises receiving an indication of an orientation of a displacement of the inlet passage opening relative to the sample carrier, and enabling desorption of the sample based on the received indication.

Enabling desorption of the sample may comprise enabling desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that the orientation is in a selected orientation range. Enabling desorption of the sample may comprise inhibiting desorption of the sample in the event of an indication that the orientation is not in the selected orientation range.

An indication of the presence of a sample carrier in the holder may be received. Enabling desorption of the sample may occur in the event of an indication that a sample carrier is present in the holder. Inhibiting desorption of the sample may occur in the event of an indication that a sample carrier is not present in the holder. Enabling desorption of the sample may comprise triggering desorption of the sample (e.g. turning on a desorber). Inhibiting desorption of the sample may comprise preventing desorption of the sample (e.g. disabling a desorber).

Hand-held detection devices of the present disclosure may be configured for operation by both left handed and right handed users. To facilitate this, the inlet may be disposed on a side of the device that points away from a user holding the device when the device is oriented for them to operate its input controls and read its output - for example, it may be on a different side of the device from the user interface 103, and may be on a side of the device adjacent the top of the user interface 103. In this way, when an operator holds the device with the user interface 103 facing them (e.g. holding the device flat with the user interface 103 facing upward) the head and inlet may be directed away from them. For example the user interface 103 may be on the front surface and the head or inlet may be on an adjacent but different surface of the device, e.g. at right angles to the user interface 103. The user interface 103 may be connected to the control system to enable a user to initiate analysis of a sample.

Aspects of the present disclosure may comprise a computer program product (e.g. which comprises non-transitory media) comprising computer program instructions configured to program a processor to perform any method described herein.

Other examples and variations of the disclosure will be apparent to the skilled addressee in the context of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a detection device, the control system comprising:

a controller configured to enable or inhibit desorption of a sample to provide vapour to a substance detector of the detection device;

a direction signal obtainer, coupled to the controller, and configured to obtain a direction signal indicating a direction from (a) a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed to (b) an opening of an inlet passage for providing vapour from the desorbed sample to the detector;

wherein the controller is configured to enable or inhibit desorption of the sample based on the direction signal.

2. A detection device comprising:

a substance detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a vapour; an inlet passage for receiving vapour desorbed from a sample, and providing said vapour to the detector;

a direction signal obtainer configured to obtain a direction signal indicating a direction from (a) a sample carrier carrying the sample to be desorbed to (b) an opening of the inlet passage; and a control system comprising: a controller, coupled to the direction signal obtainer, configured to enable or inhibit desorption of the sample based on the direction signal.

3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the direction signal obtainer comprises a sensor for sensing the direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises an orientation sensor.

5. The apparatus of claims 3 or 4, wherein the sensor has a fixed orientation with respect to the detection device.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein enabling desorption of the sample based on the sensed direction comprises enabling desorption in the event that the direction signal indicates a sample carried by the sample carrier is beneath the opening of the inlet passage.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to communicate with a desorber for desorbing the sample to enable desorption of the sample based on the direction signal.

8.

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein communication with the desorber comprises at least one of: (i) providing power to the desorber, and (ii) sending an On’ signal configured to cause power to be provided to the desorber.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the detection device comprises a holder sensor configured to provide an indication of the presence of a sample carrier in the holder and wherein enabling desorption of the sample is further based on an indication from the holder sensor.

10. The control system of claim 1, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the control system is configured to be attachable to the detection device, for example wherein the control system comprises a coupling for attachment of the control system to the detection device, for example wherein said coupling provides an electrical connection between the control system and the detection device.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the holder is connectable to the detection device, for example wherein the holder is attachable to and detachable from the detection device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the detection device comprises the desorber for desorbing the sample carried on the sample carrier.

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the holder comprises at least one of: (i) a holder for a swab, and (ii) a holder for a probe.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample carrier comprises a desorber and enabling desorption of the sample comprises communication of the control system with the desorber of the sample carrier, for example wherein communication with the desorber comprises at least one of: (i) providing power to the desorber, and (ii) sending an ‘on’ signal configured to cause power to be provided to the desorber.

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the detection device comprises a handheld device.

16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the detection device comprises a user interface arranged for a user to provide input to control desorption of the sample; and wherein desorption of the sample is controlled based on both: (i) user input and (ii) the direction signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein in response to receiving user input to initiate desorption of the sample, initiation of desorption of the sample is controlled based on the direction signal.

18. A kit of parts comprising: (i) a control system as set out in claim 1, or any claim dependent thereon, and (ii) a holder as set out in any preceding claim.

19. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the detection device comprises the holder.

20. A method of controlling operation of a detection device, wherein the detection device comprises: an inlet passage for receiving vapour desorbed from a sample, and a substance detector for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in the vapour;

wherein the method comprises:

obtaining a direction signal indicating a direction from (a) a sample carrier carrying a sample to be desorbed to (b) an opening of the inlet passage; and enabling or inhibiting desorption of the sample based on the direction signal.

21. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions configured to program a processor to perform the method of claim 20.