Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
  • G01N15/06—Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
  • G01N15/06—Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
  • G01N15/075—Investigating concentration of particle suspensions by optical means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
  • G01N2015/0096—Investigating consistence of powders, dustability, dustiness

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an optical device for the visual detection of colloidal entities in fluid samples not otherwise detectable by the eye.
• the present invention particularly relates to an optical device for the visual detection of colloidal entities including microorganisms greater than 0.2 ⁇ m in water samples obtained from various sources .
• Colloidal matter herein refers to any organic or inorganic extraneous matter present in the liquid medium of particle size of 0.2 ⁇ m or more, whose size and density difference with the surrounding medium, which is typically water, is such that these entities do not settle under gravity, even when left undisturbed for an extended period of time. These matter are not a constituent of the medium but are the result of an invariable contamination of the medium. This includes, but is not limited to matter such as dust, pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria, cysts, fibrous material, microorganisms, dead cells, pollen and the like. Instruments capable of detecting and monitoring these particulate matter utilize chemical, microbiological and spectroscopic methods of analysis and have found applications in various industries like medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and food industries. These methods generally involve use of staining the particles with dyes and further carrying out spectroscopic analysis of these samples to determine the purity.
• Microbial methods generally make use of membrane filtration techniques wherein the particles are collected on membrane filter, which can be cultured and measured or alternatively counted by microscopic observation.
• US 2004/0009473 Al teaches a kit and process for detection of microbes in a liquid sample.
• the kit has a filtration device and the microbes are arrested on the filter when fluid containing the same is passed through the filter.
• the filter is coated with chemicals that lyse the microbial cells.
• Another coating is provided which provide for detecting such microbes by emission of signal in the form of radiant energy such as luminescent light.
• the apparatus is then placed in a radiant energy measuring apparatus to measure the radiant energy from the lysed cells. This is then compared with a standard that provides a measure of radiant energy as a function of concentration of microbes to determine microbe concentration in a liquid.
• the application thus refers to a filtration device equipped with a filter coated with chemical to lyse microbes and another coat to emit signal from lysed microbes and does not address the presence or detection of non-microbial particulate matter present in the fluid sample which is also a major source of contamination of such fluid samples.
• US 6,522,405 B2 teaches method and apparatus for detection of sub-micron particles in flowing stream of fluids.
• the apparatus comprises a coherent light source, light from which is converged by lens or otherwise on a cell with stream of fluid which contains particles.
• the convergent light falling on the moving particles is diffracted on a photo detector placed on an optical axis of the light beam on opposite side of the light source.
• the photo detector produces electrical signals, which are treated by electrical circuits for counting the number of particles in the stream.
• the cell through which the stream of fluid is flown is located near the focus of the convergent beam. Length of passage for particles near focus is less than those further away though the particles move by equal velocity.
• the photo detector emits short signal corresponding to particles passing near focal point and long signal for particles farther from focus.
• Signal frequency corresponds to distance between passage of particles and focus as well as size of particles.
• the apparatus is such that suitable electrical signal representing characteristics of particles are produced when any change in intensity caused by diffraction image of a converged light appears in the photo detector.
• US 2002/0139865 Al teaches an odor reducing water display system comprising a reservoir, pump, and conduit in fluid communication with pump for returning water to reservoir and a germicidal light source at defined position.
• the light source projects UV light for eliminating microbes and mal odor.
• This application thus discloses a microbiocidal system utilizing UV light for this purpose and does not deal with the visual detection of the organic or inorganic particulate matter present in fluid samples.
• EP 098095 A2 teaches a process and apparatus for characterization or identification of microparticle physical parameters such as size, mean refractive index and shape when a beam of polarized light passing through spherical array of detectors is intercepted by stream of particles at the center of spherical array and selected observables are used for mapping the particle parameters.
• This system is complex and cost-intensive and involves complicated computerizing systems for mapping and identifying the particles. It however does not teach visual detection of the organic and inorganic articulate matter present in the fluid sample.
• None of the prior art discussed above teach a device for visual detection of colloidal matter especially of particles of size as low as 1 ⁇ m and specifically a device by which a column of light is passed through a stationary fluid sample in a container for detection of particles of above defined size by unaided eye.
• the prior art does not decribe devices capable of rapid visual detection of particulate matter normally undetected by the eye, inspite of the need existing for the same.
• an object of the present invention is to provide an optical device for visual detection of colloidal matter normally undetected by eye.
• the device is simple to use and economical and does not require special skills or facility requirements.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide an optical device for visual detection of colloidal matter, which produces a light intensity difference for detection of particles of above 0.2 ⁇ m size by unaided eye in a stationary fluid sample in a container.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide an optical device for visual detection of particulate matter that readily indicates the presence of colloidal matter having size of from 0.2 ⁇ m.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide an optical device for visual detection of colloidal matter that may be used to gauge the efficiency of water purification systems where the quality of raw feed and the finished output may be assessed.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an optical device for visual detection of colloidal matter that may be used to provide a speedy quality control check on continuous samples of water purified in water purification systems.
• an optical device for the visual detection of colloidal entities in fluid samples comprising
• a light emitting source sufficient to generate light of such intensity that the intensity difference between the point of detection and the background is at least 5,000 LUX.
• the present invention provides an optical device for the visual detection of colloidal entities in fluid samples comprising - a housing.
• - a light emitting source sufficient to generate light of such intensity that the intensity difference between the point of detection and the background is at least 5, 000 LUX. - means for placing a substantially transparent receptacle containing the fluid sample and passing a beam of light from the light emitting source through the fluid sample.
• an optical device for the visual detection of colloidal entities in fluid samples comprising
• a light emitting source sufficient to generate light of such intensity that the intensity difference between the point of detection and the background is at least 5,000 LUX.
• the device is provided with a means for observing the light that leaves the receptacle at the point of detection.
• observing means is provided with a magnifying means, preferably a magnifying lens.
• the observing means is a photo-imaging device such as a camera, preferably a ccd camera. The camera may be connected to a graphic display device such as television or computer to enable viewing of the image of the fluid sample, and thus of the particles in the sample, on a monitor
• the observing means is preferably positioned such that the direction of observation makes an angle with the optical axis of the beam of light. More preferably the direction of observation is perpendicular to the optical axis of the beam of light.
• the fluid samples may be any sample for which the purity needs to be ascertained in terms of colloidal matter present in the same.
• the fluid samples are preferably water samples from various sources.
• Colloidal matter herein refers to any organic or inorganic extraneous matter present in the liquid medium of particle size of 0.2 ⁇ m or more, which is not a constituent of the medium but is a resultant of an invariable contamination of the medium. This includes but is not limited to matter such as dust, pathogenic and non bacteria, fibrous material, microorganisms, dead cells, pollen and the like.
• the present invention more preferably detects microspheres that simulate bacteria.
• the microspheres may preferably be dyed for better visual detection.
• the housing may be a chamber, which eliminates the entry of ambient light into the chamber and may optionally be in the form of a cabinet or a cover, which aids in the elimination of ambient light.
• the light source may be any suitable light source sufficient to generate light of such intensity that the intensity difference between the point of detection and the background is at least 5,000 LUX preferably 15,000 LUX, more preferably 25,000 LUX, most preferably 50,000 LUX.
• the preferred light sources are Halogen photo optic lamps. Suitable lamps are known in the art, such as lamps used for optical projection apparatus. One example is commercially available from Osra , Model G5.3, operating at 12V and 100 W.
• the light source is optionally provided with a reflector dome for creating a convergent shaft of light produced from the light source and passing the shaft through the means for placing substantially transparent receptacle containing the fluid sample.
• the optical device preferably has a heat sink or filter in the vicinity of the light source to absorb some of the heat generated. Additionally a cooling means such as a fan may also be provided in the vicinity of the light source to transfer heat out of the device.
• the means for directing the shaft of light through the fluid sample in the receptacle is built-in through an opaque platform and is preferably in the form of a slit or an aperture. The said means is optionally provided with a lens to align the light beam into a parallel beam to get maximum contrast .
• Cone Controller the dimension of the means built-in through the cone controller will define the nature of the cone formed.
• the receptacle can be any suitable container that is substantially transparent to the light beams. It is suitably shaped to be placed onto the platform and preferably a glass or a plastic bottle. In a preferred embodiment the light source is actuated by placing the receptacle in position on the platform.
• a photo-imaging device such as a camera preferably a CCD camera, optionally with a magnifying means, is positioned in the same horizontal plane of the fluid container such that the camera will take images of the fluid sample when the light column passes therethrough.
• the guiding means for directing the beam of light from the light- emitting source is disposed below the platform on which the receptacle is to be positioned.
• FIG. 1 is a cross sectional schematic view of an optical device of the invention for visual detection of colloidal matter.
• FIG. 2 is a cross sectional schematic view of an optical device for visual detection of colloidal matter in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the optical device 1 comprises a light-emitting source 2 positioned at the base 4 of the housing 3.
• the base portion also has a heat sink or filter 5 and a cooling fan 6.
• the light-emitting source 2 has a reflector dome 7.
• the convergent shaft of light 8 generated from the light- emitting source 2 is directed to a slit 9 for directing the said shaft of light 8_from the said light-emitting source 2 through the fluid sample in the receptacle 10.
• a Tyndall Cone 11 is defined in the fluid body in the receptacle 10.
• the slit 9 is provided in an opaque platform, which is a cone controller 12.
• the housing 3 is provided with a photo-imaging device preferably a a CCD camera 13.
• the camera has a magnifying means 14; such camera 13 can be connected to a graphic display device 15 such as television or computer to enable viewing the particles on the monitor.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34961388

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2005
  • 2005-02-17 RU RU2006136368/28A patent/RU2375699C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-02-17 BR BRPI0508677-9A patent/BRPI0508677A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-02-17 PL PL380683A patent/PL380683A1/pl unknown
  • 2005-02-17 CN CN2005800084523A patent/CN1934436B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-02-17 WO PCT/EP2005/001775 patent/WO2005095923A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events