WO2017041985A1

WO2017041985A1 - Device and method for collecting samples on a large scale

Info

Publication number: WO2017041985A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/069158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergio Montenegro; Alexander Hilgarth
Original assignee: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Priority date: 2015-09-07
Filing date: 2016-08-11
Publication date: 2017-03-16
Also published as: DE102015114956A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for collecting samples comprising a sample belt (16) which comprises a plurality of receptacles which are spaced apart from one another by intermediate regions. If a first sealing tape (18) is connected to the sample belt (16), then the sealing tape separates the receptacles from their environment. A first reel (12) can stockpile sections of the sample belt (16) and the first sealing tape (18) connected to one another, in a rolled up way. The device (10) is designed to detach the connection between the first sealing tape (18) and the sample belt (16) in one section of the sample belt (16) which was unrolled from the first reel while connected to the first sealing tape (18), wherein during this detaching, additional sections of the sample belt (16) connected to the first sealing tape (18) are unrolled from the first reel (12) and different receptacles are exposed to the environment of the device (10) at different times; and to connect the sample belt (16) to the first or to a second sealing tape (16, 20), and thus to separate the receptacles from their environment after the exposure. The sample belt (16) can be rolled up on a second reel (14), together with the first or with the second sealing tape (18, 20), after it has been connected to the first or second sealing tape (18, 20).

Description

Apparatus and method for mass collecting samples

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention is in the field of environmental analysis and relates to an apparatus and method for mass collecting samples.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From environmental analysis, it is known to collect air and / or water samples and evaluate and analyze laboratory technology. In the collection of air samples, the air samples to be collected may include gaseous substances and heterogeneous gas mixtures with solid and / or liquid suspended particles, such as dusts or mists (so-called aerosols). The constituents of air samples may have a natural, biological or anthropogenic origin.

Air sample constituents of natural origin include, for example, mineral salt aerosols, particles released in the event of volcanic eruptions, and gases and / or aerial dusts with fluidized earth particles. Air sample components of biological origin include, for example, living and / or dead organisms or parts thereof, viruses, bacteria, fungi and their spores, pollen and / or gaseous substances of biotic origin, such as gaseous metabolic products of molds. Air sample constituents of anthropogenic origin include organic and inorganic reaction products and intermediates arising in connection with the combustion of fossil fuels, such as e.g. Fine dusts or smoke, or those arising in connection with the operation of chemical industrial algae.

The collection of air samples can be done, for example, stationary and at specific times or mobile at different locations.

An apparatus for collecting air samples suitable for mobile use is described in US 3,985,619. In this device is used to collect the air samples uses a porous tape that is stored rolled up on a first spool. For an air sampling, the tape is unrolled and then rolled up together with another tape on a second spool. The additional tape can protect collected particles from contamination and may also contain a nutrient solution to supply collected microorganisms. For air sampling, a stream of air containing particles is directed onto the tape. At the same time, air is sucked through the tape using a vacuum pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that can collect samples in a manner that facilitates subsequent laboratory analysis and reduces the risk of contamination.

This object is achieved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention comprises a device for collecting samples in bulk. The device comprises a sample band, a first sealing band, a first coil and a second coil. The sample tape comprises a plurality of recordings for collecting samples, wherein the recordings are spaced from each other by intermediate regions of the sample tape. The first sealing tape separates the recordings of the sample tape from its surroundings when the first sealing tape is connected to the sample tape. The first coil is adapted to store coiled portions of the sample tape and the first sealing tape rolled up. The apparatus is adapted to release the connection between the first sealing tape and the sample tape on a portion of the sample tape which has been unwound from the spool in conjunction with the first sealing tape, further portions of the tape connected to the first sealing tape being released during release Sample tape are unrolled from the first coil and different exposures are exposed at different times to the environment of the device to collect samples. Further, the apparatus is adapted to connect the sample tape to the first or second sealing tape, thereby to prevent the photographs from being exposed to the environment of the apparatus to separate their environment. The second coil is configured to roll up the sample tape after it has been joined to the first or second sealing tape together with the first and second connecting band, respectively. By connecting the sample tape to the first sealing tape or, if present, alternatively to the second sealing tape, the plurality of pictures, or just a few of them, may be separated from the environment of the sample tape. Because the recordings on the sample tape are spaced apart by the intermediate regions, the recordings can also be separated or isolated from one another by such a connection. This separation can prevent the recordings from being contaminated by an environment and the contents of other recordings. When the first sealing tape is released from a portion of the sample tape with a receptacle, the separation between the subject recording and the environment is canceled. In doing so, the relevant image is exposed to the environment, so that a sample can be collected. Due to the intermediate regions, during collection of this sample, other ones of the receptacles may be occluded using the first or second sealing tape. As a result, already collected samples in the collected state can be preserved or preserved. In addition, contamination of empty images that are not yet loaded with samples can be prevented. Because the device is designed to connect the sample band to the first sealant tape or to the second sealer tape after exposing the recordings to the environment, the samples may be contaminated immediately prior to collection in the respective recordings Contamination by an environment in a not intended for the collection or measurement and thus undesirable location or for a collection or measurement unintended and thus undesirable time or contamination by an adjacent recording protected. Thus, even when rapidly moved through a space, such as an air space, the device permits a variety of temporally and spatially determinable and controllable sampling at respectively different locations at different times with comparatively high accuracy and purity, without contamination of the intake to be feared before exposure and the collected sample after exposure.

Because the sample tape comprises spaced apart recordings, the samples can be collected isolated from each other in space and time and isolated from each other in the on the second sample coil wound up sample tape, each sample can be assigned to a specific associated recording and thus an associated sampling time or period and an associated sampling in three-dimensional space. This is advantageous for a subsequent evaluation and analysis, because this can be done after clearly identifiable and clearly distinguishable recordings, whereby areas can be examined three-dimensionally and not only areally.

Due to the first and second bobbins, each of which allows a rolled-up supply, a very compact reel-to-reel construction is also possible, which allows a simple and uncomplicated tape guidance and mode of operation.

The samples can be collected from the air, for example. However, the invention is not limited to the specific application of collecting air samples, but may also be used to collect samples of fluid other than air. Another exemplary application of the present invention is to collect water samples so that the present invention also includes embodiments adapted for collecting water samples. Although the invention will be described and explained in detail below with specific reference to the example of the air sampling, it should be noted that corresponding embodiments for the Wasserprobensam- mine my may have corresponding advantages and they are also included in the invention.

Preferably, the first coil stores connected portions of the sample tape and the first sealing tape, wherein preferably at least some of the receivers of this sample tape portion are each hermetically sealed. Due to a hermetic closure, a mass transfer can be prevented with the environment of the recording, so that contamination of the images can be prevented by a mass transfer with the respective environment of the sample band and with the contents of other recordings. For example, the recordings of the sample tape can be set to a sterile state before collecting, and already during production of the sample tape. This sterile condition may be sustained due to the hermetic seal until exposure is suspended. This is particularly advantageous in collecting biological air ingredients, such as bacteria, pollen or viruses. Different recordings can also contain different media, for example nutrient media, which can not be exchanged between the recordings in the case of the hermetic closure.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second coil stores connected portions of the sample band and of the first or second sealing band, wherein the recordings of this sample band portion are each hermetically sealed. Thereby, contamination due to mass transfer after collecting a sample can be avoided and the collected sample can be safely preserved in the collected state. For example, the sample tape may be bonded or bonded to the first and / or second sealing tape using an adhesive. An adhesive can be used to create a secure bond that can also be hermetic.

The recordings may also include a recording medium. This may be advantageous in collecting biological samples for which the receiving medium may comprise, for example, a nutrient agar medium. The recording medium may also be specific to a particular air content, so that only certain air content substances can be selectively collected. Preferably, the recording medium is solid or gel-like. This can ensure that the images in any spatial orientations of the device can be exposed to the air environment without the recording medium expiring from the respective exposed recording. Different recordings may also include different recording media. For example, the recording media may differ in that they are selective for different air ingredients. As a result, different sample types or air constituents can be selectively collected using the same sample band. Additionally or alternatively, the recording media may, for example, also differ in that they are suitable and intended for different analysis methods. The selectively or non-selectively collected samples can then be evaluated with different analysis methods. The recordings may include, for example, depressions in the sample tape. In these depressions, for example, a certain amount of a recording medium can be introduced. In addition, both the wells with recording medium and those without recording medium can serve to collect and conserve a gaseous sample or an aerosol.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the sample band may comprise a deep-drawn plastic band, wherein the sample band has no perforation in the recesses. The use of a deep-drawn plastic strip allows a particularly simple and cost-effective production, in particular, techniques and methods from other technical fields can be used. The lack of perforation makes it easier to seal the wells from the environment.

The sample band can also have a transport perforation. This can serve to unroll the sample tape from the first spool and roll it up onto the second spool. Further, the sprocket may be used for handling and guiding the sample tape between the first and second spools.

Some or all of the recordings may also include a circuit intended for analysis of the sample. As a result, an analysis or part of the analysis can be made in direct temporal relation to the collection of the sample, without having to wait until a laboratory examination. This preprocessing can be advantageous in particular for volatile samples or for samples which can not be preserved for a sufficiently long period of time. Furthermore, it may be advantageous in collecting samples that are toxic and / or that should no longer be released from the sealed recordings. The analysis can be done in such cases by interacting with the circuit, such as by reading from outside the receptacle. The circuit can also improve the automation of the analysis and thus speed up the analysis and make it more efficient. The circuit can be embedded or integrated in the recordings. The circuit is preferably a compact electronic circuit.

Furthermore, the recordings or at least some of the recordings may comprise a microstructured and / or microfluidic substrate, into which microchannels with a cross-section micron range for liquid handling. With the aid of such microstructured and / or microfluidic substrates, part of a laboratory analysis can be shifted into the recordings. Only very small amounts of liquids or reagents are required. In addition, time can be saved during the analysis. The microstructured and / or micro fluidic substrate can also comprise different reagents or indicator solutions for different analyzes, so that one and the same sample can be subjected to different tests simultaneously in the recording immediately after collection. The circuit and the microstructured and / or micro fluidic substrates are particularly advantageous in terms of an automated evaluation of a plurality of samples, because the analysis can be at least partially without external intervention at least partially already in the recordings and a subsequent manual analysis omitted or at least essential can be simplified.

Alternatively or additionally, the recordings may also comprise an air-permeable filter material and the sample band may be permeable to air in the region of the recordings. In this embodiment, the sample tape on the first spool is connected on a first side to the first sealing tape and connected to a third sealing tape on an opposite second side. On the second coil, the sample band on the first side is connected to the first or the second sealing band and connected on the second side to the third or to a fourth sealing band. This embodiment makes it possible to collect samples by the images are flowed through by an air flow, wherein the sample to be collected remains in the filter material. Because the sample tape is bonded to both sides of a sealing tape prior to exposure and after exposure, as in the previous embodiments, contamination of the images prior to exposure and after exposure may be avoided. Furthermore, the recordings may include first and second recordings arranged in adjacent tracks along the sample tape. As a result, one of the first recordings can be exposed simultaneously to an associated one of the second recordings of the air environment of the device, so that different samples or identical samples can be collected simultaneously in different recordings. These same Samples collected early in the same place can then be subjected to different analyzes or subjected to the same analysis for better statistics. The arrangement in adjacent tracks allows twice as many samples to be collected without the sample tape having to be twice as long. Other embodiments include more than two side by side traces of recordings for simultaneously collecting more than two samples. The adjacent tracks can be parallel.

The first recordings may also include a different recording medium than the second recordings. This allows different samples to be collected simultaneously if the recording media are selective for different types of samples. Furthermore, the same sample can be evaluated differently if the different recording media are selective for the same sample but are suitable and intended for different analysis methods.

The devices according to the aforementioned embodiments may also comprise a third spool for receiving the first sealing tape after it has been released from the sample tape and / or may comprise a fourth spool for dispensing the second sealing tape, if a second sealing tape is provided.

Furthermore, a fifth coil for receiving the third sealing tape and / or a sixth coil for dispensing the fourth sealing tape may also be provided, if a third or a fourth sealing tape is provided. The first and the second coil may be contained in a cassette-like housing. The sample tape can thereby be handled more safely within the cassette by means of the first and second spools while protecting the sample tape. For collection and subsequent analysis, only handling of the cassette may be required without having to manually handle the sample tape separately. This offers special advantages in automated collection and evaluation because a compact, robust and cassette-like design is very well suited for automation, which can be done very efficiently and safely. Within a cassette, the sample tape can also be easily and safely transported and stored. The present invention further comprises a system with a device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments and with an air supply device. The air supply device is arranged and arranged to provide an airflow directed to a respective exposed receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. The air supply device allows the images to be in contact with more ingredients of the air environment at the same time so that more concentrated samples can be collected in the same time. Preferably, the air supply device is not contained within the cassette-like housing, if any. This allows the samples after collection to be transported separately from the air supply device within a smaller, more compact cassette-like unit, stored, and subjected to analysis.

In an advantageous embodiment, the system further comprises an aircraft. This allows the departure of an air space in which samples can be collected with a device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

The system may also include a data acquisition unit configured to determine, for each of the recordings, when exposed to the air environment of the device, a time indication and / or an indication of the location of the system and store that information on a computer readable medium. As a result, the collected samples can be assigned to the removal time and / or their removal location at a later time, whereby a temporal and / or local sample distribution in a specific airspace can be determined. The system may further comprise a metering device configured to detect an amount of air provided by the air supply device while a receptacle is exposed to the air environment of the device, and to store an air amount indication on a computer readable medium. This information can later be used to determine the actual sample concentration at the time of collection at the collection site.

The present invention also includes a method of mass collecting samples from the air, the method comprising the steps of flying away an airspace with a system according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, collecting a plurality of samples with a device or with a system one of the previously mentioned embodiments, determining time and / or location information to the collected samples, assigning time and / or location information to the collected samples and determining a temporal and / or spatial sample distribution for the flown airspace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein

1 shows a construction of a device according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2 enlarges and illustrates in greater detail a portion of FIG. 1; FIG.

3 a and 3 b illustrate the use of systems according to the invention according to two exemplary embodiments,

4 is a perspective view of a sample band connected to a first and a second sealing tape according to an exemplary embodiment;

5a to 5e show sample bands according to further embodiments,

6a and 6b show an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a cassette-shaped housing,

Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of further devices according to the invention in which the sample band is connected on both sides with sealing bands.

In the figures, corresponding features are provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a device 10 according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus 10 includes a first spool 12, a second spool 14, a sample belt 16, a first sealing belt 18, a second sealing belt 20, a third spool 22, a fourth spool 24 and an air supply device 26. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of one 1 between the first coil 12 and the second coil 14. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 2, the sample band 16 comprises a multiplicity of receptacles, which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are formed by depressions 28 in the sample band 16 ,

The first spool 12 is configured to store a portion of the sample belt 16 rolled up with the rolled-up, stored portion connected to a portion of the first sealing belt 18. Due to the connection with the first sealing band 18, the recesses 28 on this portion of the sample band 16 are closed to the air environment of the device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the recesses 28 are spaced from each other by intermediate portions 30 of the sample strip 16. In connection with the sample band 16, the first sealing band 18 is also connected to the intermediate portions 30 of the sample band 16 so that the recesses 28 located on a portion of the sample band 16 connected to the first sealing band 18 are also separated from each other. Thereby, contamination of the recesses 28, for example by a gas, liquid and / or particle exchange between different recesses 28 and between the recesses 28 and the air environment can be prevented. Depending on the type of connection, certain impurities that can be caused by the replacement of certain substances can be avoided. In a compound which hermetically seals the recesses 28, an exchange of solid, liquid and gaseous substances can be prevented. This allows incoming impurities from the outside completely or almost completely avoided. The bond between the sample belt 16 and all of the aforementioned sealing tapes can be made using a suitable adhesive. For example, an adhesive may be used which is also used in the food industry for closing and possibly reclosing plastic packages containing food. Similarly to the first coil 12, the second coil 14 is also configured to store a portion of the sample belt 16 rolled up. However, in the apparatus 10 of Fig. 1, the portion of the sample belt 16 stored on the second spool 14 is not connected to the first sealing tape 18 but to a portion of the second sealing tape 20. In other embodiments, not shown, the first sealing tape 18 may additionally be used be reconnected to a portion of the sample tape 16 which is stored on the second spool 14 and is received onto the second spool 14, respectively. In the apparatus of Fig. 1, the coils 12, 14, 22 and 24 have circular cross-sections. It should be understood that in other embodiments, these coils may also have other cross-sections, which need not necessarily be circular.

In the illustration of Fig. 1, the device 10 is in a state in which a first portion of the sample tape is stored rolled up on the first coil 12. The first portion of the sample band 16 is followed by a second portion of the sample band 16 which extends from the first coil 12 to an exposed portion of the sample band 16. The first portion and the second portion of the sample band 16 are each connected to an associated portion of the first sealing band 18. The exposed portion of the sample belt 16 is located in Fig. 1 below the air supply device 26, which is directed to the exposed portion. The exposed portion is not connected to any of the sealing bands 18 and 20 but is exposed so that such recesses 28 located on the exposed portion are exposed to the air environment of the apparatus 10.

The exposed portion is followed by a third portion of the sample band 16 which extends to the second coil 14 and is connected to the second sealing band 24 or to a portion of the second sealing band 24, respectively. The third portion of the sample band 16 is followed by a fourth portion of the sample band 16 which is stored rolled up on the second coil 14 in conjunction with a portion of the second sealing band 24.

In the state in which the device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is located, the above-mentioned first to fourth portions of the sample tape 16 and the exposed portion of the Sample tape 16 respectively arranged in first to fourth regions or in a suspension area. When the device is in another state, the aforementioned first to fourth portions of the sample band 16 and the exposed portion of the sample band 16 may each be arranged in a different area. The state of the device 10 changes, for example, when the sample belt 16 is moved within the device 10. In other states of the device, partially or completely different portions of the sample band 16 may be disposed in the first to fourth regions and in the exposure region, for example, after the sample band 16 has been further transported. Also in another state of the device 10 of FIG. 1, those portions of the sample band 16 located in the first and second regions are joined to the first sealing band 18, those portions of the sample band 16 being in the third and fourth Area are connected to the second sealing tape 20 and the Absclinitt the sample strip 16, which is located in the exposure area exposed to the air environment.

The third coil 22 is arranged and arranged to roll up portions of the first sealing tape 18 formerly connected to the sample tape 16 and to store them rolled up. In the apparatus 10, the third coil 22 is arranged such that, when the first sealing tape 18 is rolled up by the third coil 22, the first sealing tape 18 is separated from the sample tape 16 at the end of the second area, the separation occurring during a simultaneous transport of the sample tape 16 from the first coil 12 to the second coil 14 takes place. In order to prevent the first sealing band 18 from being separated from the sample band 16 in the second area, the apparatus may comprise a first roller 32 arranged along an axis Ri, as shown in FIG. In the apparatus 10, the first roller 32 defines by its location the beginning of the exposure area, ie the beginning of the currently exposed portion of the sample band 16. The fourth coil 24 is adapted to store a portion of the second sealing band 20 rolled up and the second sealing band 20 to unroll it to the sample tape 16. In the apparatus 10, the second sealing tape 20 unrolled from the fourth bobbin 24 is guided so as to be joined to the sample tape 16 at the end of the exposure area, ie, at the end of the currently exposed portion of the sample tape 16, when the second sealing tape 20 is in contact Transport of the sample tape 16 is unrolled from the fourth coil 24. The corresponding guidance of the second sealing strip 20 is achieved in the device 10 due to the arrangement of the fourth coil 24 and by means of a second roller 34. The second roller 34 is arranged along an axis R ₂ , as shown in Fig. 2, and defined by their arrangement, the end of the exposure area, ie the end of the currently exposed portion of the sample strip sixteenth

The operation of the device 10 will be described below. In order to collect a plurality of samples with the device 10, the coils 12, 14, 22 and 24 are operated synchronously to successively expose various unladen pits 28 of the second portion of the sample band 16 individually and sequentially to the air environment of the device 10 a respective exposed recess 28 is located on a respective exposed portion of the sample strip 16.

The coils 12, 14, 22 and 24 rotate so synchronously, so that the coils 12 and 24 within the same time each roll the same amount of strip material and roll together as much strip material as the coils 14 and 22 roll up together. In this case, the coils 14 and 22 roll within the same time in each case the same amount of strip material.

In such an operation, different portions of the sample band 16 and thus different recesses 28 are fed at different times the exposure range of the device. When a respective one of the recesses 28 is in the exposure area, it is exposed to the air environment of the device. In the exposure region, the depression 28 thus comes into contact with the air sample to be collected. This contact can be, for example, that an amount of air is absorbed into the respectively exposed recess 28 and / or that certain air constituents remain adhered to a receiving / contact medium in the respectively exposed recess 28.

Following exposure, the well 28 loaded with the sample is closed with further rotation of the coils 12, 14, 22 and 24 with the second sealing tape 20 so that the collected sample can be preserved and contaminated or contamination by the air environment or by adjacent wells 28.

The air supply device 26 is directed to the exposure area and adapted to supply a particular increased amount of air to the respectively exposed well 28, so that the air samples can be collected in a higher concentration. For example, more particles contained in the ambient air can be taken up in the same time in a recording / contact medium. As shown in FIG. 1, the air supply device 26 may be funnel-shaped and include an accelerator such as a propeller 36. With the aid of the funnel-shaped configuration and the acceleration means, the air supply device 26 can supply a certain increased amount of air to the respectively exposed recess 28. The amount of air supplied can be adjusted via the rotational speed of the propeller 36. The rotational speed of the propeller 36 may also be measured to measure the amount of air supplied to the wells 28, respectively. As a result, an evaluation based on the sample concentration in the depression 28 and on the rotational speed of the propeller can be used to deduce an actual sample concentration at the time the sample is collected in the air environment of the device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 further includes two transport rollers 38 disposed on both sides outside the exposure area and both disposed between the first and second spools 12 and 14 to allow the sample belt 16 to pass between the first and second spools the second coil 12 and 14 can be conveyed with a desired course. In an alternative embodiment, guide rails (not shown) may be included instead of the transport rollers or in addition to the transport rollers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sample belt 16 also includes a sprocket hole 40, by means of which the sample belt 16 can be safely guided and conveyed in a controlled manner.

In other embodiments, the receptacles are designed differently than in FIG. 2. Instead of depression 28, the receptacles may also each comprise planar regions of the sample tape 16, which are each coated with a recording / contact medium, can adhere to the air components. In addition, in other embodiments, for example in those of FIGS. 7 and 8, the sample band 16 may alternatively or in addition to the recesses 28 and / or alternatively or in addition to a receiving / contact medium comprise an air-permeable filter material, such as paper or a membrane, for receiving or as part of a recording. In this case, the air flow provided by the air supply device 26 can pass through the filter material of the receptacle located in the exposure region, whereby depending on the filter material certain specific air constituents remain in the filter material and can thereby be collected. In this embodiment, the sample tape 16 in the first, second, third and fourth region is connected on both sides with a sealing tape, wherein - as shown in Fig. 8 - in addition a third sealing tape 64 or - as shown in Fig. 7 - a third and a fourth sealing tape 64 and 66 may be provided. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the third sealing tape 64 may be joined to the back of the sample tape 16 in the first, second, third and fourth regions. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the third sealing tape 64 may be bonded to the back of the sample tape 16 in the first and second regions, and the fourth sealing tape 66 may be joined to the back of the sample tape 16 in the third and fourth regions. Figures 3a and 3b respectively illustrate the collection of a plurality of samples from the air within an airspace using a system 44 according to a first embodiment shown in Figure 3a) and by means of a system 144 according to a second embodiment in Fig. 3b) is shown. The systems 44 and 144 each include an aircraft and the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, wherein the aircraft of the system 44 is a quadrocopter and the aircraft of the system 144 is a glider. Other systems of the invention include other aircraft such as helicopters, other multicopters, fixed wing aircraft, or hybrid versions thereof, each of which may be manned or unmanned. By means of the systems 44 and 144, three-dimensional airspaces 42 can be flown off, wherein during take-off the apparatus 10 can be operated as described above to collect air samples successively at different locations within the airspace 42 at respectively associated different times. For example, the air space 42, as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, divided into cube-shaped subsections within each subsection a sample can be collected at a given time. Preferably, the systems 44 and 144 are set up to determine the time and the position of the respective subsection each time a recording is suspended within a subsection, and to store it in such a way that a subsequent assignment to the associated recording is possible.

Due to the storage by means of a first coil 12 and a second coil 14 and due to the use of a sample tape with recordings for collecting samples, the device 10 can be kept very compact. The operation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from bobbin to bobbin, also referred to as reel to reel, allows a particularly simple handling, because for example by rolling up with the help of the second bobbin 14 also unwinding from the first bobbin 12 and unrolling the fourth coil 24 can be effected. The reeling on the spool 22 may be made passively, for example by means of a spring, without requiring an active external drive means to directly drive the spool 22.

In addition, for evaluating the collected samples, it is possible to reverse the direction of rotation shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, so that the collected and stored on the second coil 14 samples can be gradually exposed and thereby analyzed. This can in turn be achieved in that only one of the coils 12, 14, 22 and 24, in this case only the first coil 12, is actively driven. The reeling through the fourth coil 24 can in turn passively, for example by means of a spring done.

Due to the very simple handling and the clear separation of different images, both the collection and the subsequent analysis can be automated particularly easily. The very compact shape with a large number of recordings, in conjunction with a comparatively small remotely controlled aircraft, allows a finely scanned sample collection along a finely divided airspace 42. The aircraft can be selected depending on the particular application. For example, a glider such as system 144 is advantageous when samples are to be collected within a large air space 42 and the speed at which apparatus 10 is to be moved through air space 42 should be relatively high. For a slower airspeed and the sample collection within a smaller airspace 42, the system 44 is advantageous, which includes a quadrocopter, which can also perform vertical flight movements. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a region of a sample strip 116 according to a second embodiment with other receptacles which do not comprise depressions 28. The area of the sample band 116 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a portion 46 of the aforementioned second area, in which the sample band 116 is connected to the first sealing band 18 and a portion 48 of the aforementioned third area, in which the sample band 116 the second sealing tape 20 is connected.

Between the partial area 46 and the partial area 48 there is the abovementioned exposure area 50, on which a receptacle in the form of a receiving area 128 is located. Unlike the sample band 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the recordings of the sample band 116 are not formed by depressions 28 but by receiving areas 128. The receiving areas 128 are coated with a recording / contact medium and are flat together with the remaining areas of the sample band 16, i. without depressions, formed in a common plane. The sample band 116 thus offers the advantage that it can be rolled up more compactly and thus the device according to the invention can store a longer sample band 116 with more receptacles formed by the receiving regions 128, while having a rather large size.

In principle, different media can be considered as recording / contact medium, wherein the recording / contact medium can be selected according to the examination target. The recording / contact medium can be assigned to different classes, for example a selective medium or a differential medium and a minimal medium or a complete medium. For example, for the collection of microorganisms from the air, a nutrient medium can be selected as the recording / contact medium, which also allows the subsequent isolation and analysis of the particular microorganisms to be collected. Such media are also referred to as isolation media. It is also possible to use uptake / contact media, with the aid of which, in a later analysis, a quantification of microorganisms can be carried out on the basis of a determination of a colony number on the uptake / contact medium. As content substances for such recording / contact media, for example, D-glucose, ammonium chloride (NH ₄ C1), Magnesium sulfate (MgSO ₄ ), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K ₂ HPO ₄ ), peptone, casein hydrolyzate, yeast extract, meat extract, blood or any combination thereof. For example, uptake / contact media may be used which, for example, can only ensure the cultivation and survival of a particular or certain microorganisms. Alternatively or additionally, uptake / contact media may be used which allow for the cultivation and survival of a variety of different microorganisms. Thus, the acquisition / contact media may be selective for particular types of samples, ie, allow only the collection or evaluation of particular types of samples, or be nonselective, thereby allowing the collection and evaluation of any or a variety of different sample types. The respective receiving / contact medium can be introduced into the recesses 28, are introduced into the aforementioned filter material and / or applied to the receiving areas 128.

5a to 5e show plan views of different sample bands of different embodiments with differently shaped and arranged receptacles 51. The different sample bands differ in part in that they are intended for operation in which different numbers of receptacles 51 are simultaneously exposed.

The sample bands of FIG. 5 are divided longitudinally into sections 52 by the horizontally shown lines, which, when using the sample bands in a device according to the invention, are successively exposed in each case completely to the air environment of the device. On each of the sample bands of FIGS. 5b to 5e, the sections 52 each have the same length, whereas the sample band of FIG. 5a also includes sections 52 of different lengths. Namely, the sample tape portion of Fig. 5a comprises four portions 52, each comprising two longitudinally spaced receptacles 51. These four sections 52 are longer than the remaining sections 52 of FIG. 5 a, each of which comprises only one receptacle 51.

In the sample tape of FIG. 5a, for example, each section 52 may comprise a receptacle 51 with the same particular receptacle / contact medium, those sections 52 comprising an additional receptacle 51 comprising an additional other receptacle 51. / Contact medium in the additional receptacle 51 may include. The different recording / ontakt media can be selective for different types of samples, for example, so that a first type of sample can be collected at different time and space intervals than a second type of sample, which can be collected simultaneously with the first type of sample.

In Fig. 5c, the portions 52 are longer than in Fig. 5b. The longer sections 52 of FIG. 5c include larger seats 51 than the shorter sections 52 of FIG. 5b. Thereby, the sample band of Fig. 5c can be used to collect each sample in a larger amount. The sample band of Fig. 5c is therefore advantageous for collecting samples which are present only in a very low concentration, but nevertheless can be collected in a sufficient amount due to the comparatively large receptacles 51 of Fig. 5c.

By contrast, the sample band of FIG. 5b has the advantage, because of the smaller receptacles 51, which are approximately half the size of the receptacles 51 of FIG. 5c, that more samples can be collected with the same sample band length. As a result, a larger airspace can be analyzed with the same sample band length, or a more detailed airspace can be analyzed in more detail. The recordings 51 each comprise first recordings 54 and second recordings 56 on the two sample tapes of FIGS. 5d and 5e. The first recordings 54 and the second recordings 56 are each arranged in a longitudinal direction of the sample tape in a track, the tracks of the first recordings 54 extend in the longitudinal direction next to the tracks of the second receptacles 56. Due to this arrangement in adjacent tracks, a first receptacle 54 may be exposed to the air environment of the device simultaneously with an associated second receptacle 56 adjacent to the respective first receptacle 54. As a result, different types of samples can be collected at the same time if the receptacles 54 and 56 respectively comprise different recording / contact media and / or filter materials. For example, it is also possible that one or more of the first receptacles 54 and / or one or more of the second receptacles 56 are formed as a recess.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the portions 52 of the sample band of FIG. 5d comprise four receptacles 51, whereas the portions 52 of the sample band of FIG. 5e comprise two Recordings 51 include. Thus, with the sample band of Fig. 5d in combination with a correspondingly configured device, four individual samples can be collected simultaneously at a particular location, whereas with the sample band of Fig. 5e two samples can be collected simultaneously at the same location.

The simultaneous collection of identical samples with different receptacles 51 can be advantageous for the analysis and evaluation, since each of the receptacles 51 of the same section 52 can be analyzed differently, for example, can be treated with different reagents or subjected to a different aftertreatment. As a result, comparative considerations can be made on samples collected and preserved under the same conditions. This is also possible in particular in that the individual receptacles 51 on the sample tape are separated from each other and spaced so that an isolated evaluation is possible, which is not adversely affected or falsified by the evaluation or treatment of adjacent samples or recordings 51.

In principle, the described recordings 28, 51, 54, 56, 128, the described recording / contact media and the filter material can be arbitrarily combined on a sample tape, arranged arbitrarily in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the sample tape and also separated in their respective size, in Groups or varied together.

Figures 6a and 6b show a device 110 according to the invention according to another exemplary embodiment, which has similar components as the device 10 of Fig. 1 and further comprises a housing 58 with a cassette shape. Fig. 6a shows an external perspective view of the apparatus 110 and Fig. 6b shows a sectional view of the apparatus 110. The cassette mold of Fig. 6 corresponds to a cuboid shape, the cuboid having a rectangular base with a height H and a length L. The width B of the cuboid may be in the range of a few widths of the coils 12, 14, for example in the range between once and four times the width of one of the coils 12, 14. The housing encloses the coils 12, 14, 22, 24, Transport rollers 38, the sample tape 16 and the sealing strips 18, 20. As a result, these components are protected from external influences and from contamination and can be safely transported and stored. The housing 58 includes an opening 60 that faces the deployment area 50 and that provides communication between the exterior of the housing 58 and the interior of the housing 58. Preferably, the opening 60 is funnel-shaped, as shown in Fig. 6b. Other embodiments, not shown, may have openings of other shapes. Air can flow from the outside environment of the device 110 onto the respectively exposed section of the sample band 16 through the opening 60.

The housing 58 further comprises two receptacles 62, in each of which a drive element (not shown) can be received to drive the first coil 12 and the second coil 14, respectively. Accordingly, 38 further recordings can be provided for one or more of the other coils 22, 24 and / or rollers.

Due to the cassette-like design, all bands 16, 18, 20 during operation of the device 1 10 can be easily guided and transported within the housing 58 in a simple, uncomplicated and protected manner. In this case, the device 110 itself does not have to contain any active drive elements. Instead, the active drive elements may be located outside of the device 110. These can be brought into contact with the device 110 via robust and simply designed interfaces, namely the receptacles 62, in a fast, simple and secure manner. This is particularly advantageous for automated collection and automated analysis by means of other devices and in interaction therewith, the further devices being able to be located outside the housing 58. These other devices can also be easily separated from the device. The device 110 may comprise only passive elements and may therefore be made very compact and robust. The cassette-type design therefore allows a particularly simple and safe handling, in particular in an interaction with other devices, and a good automation of the collecting and evaluating process. In addition, the large number of samples can be safely and compact stored and transported. In the housing 58 of FIG. 6, the spools 12, 14 are disposed within a common plane and are rotatable about respective axes which are parallel and spaced from each other within a range between two and three times the radius of one of the spools 12, 14 , In the device 1 10 of FIG. 6, the coils 12, 14 have the same direction of rotation during operation. In other embodiments, not shown, the coils 12, 14 are aligned arranged, ie arranged side by side and rotatable about a common axis. In such embodiments, the housing may be in the shape of a cuboid having an approximately square footprint. Depending on the tape guide, in other, not-shown embodiments, the coils 12, 14 may have the same or a different direction of rotation during operation.

FIGS. 7 and 8 each show a device 210 or 310 according to further embodiments of the invention, in which the sample band 16 is connected on both sides to a sealing band.

In the apparatus 210 of FIG. 7, the sample band 16 is connected to the first sealing band 18 in the first and second regions (ie, to the left of the exposure region in FIG. 7) on a first side or on an upper side and on an opposite second side or on one Bottom connected to a third sealing tape 64. In the third and fourth regions (i.e., in Fig. 7, to the right of the exposure region), the sample tape 16 is bonded on top to the second seal tape 20 and bonded to the bottom with a fourth seal tape 66. In operation of the apparatus 210, the third sealant tape 64 is rolled up onto a fifth bobbin 68 after the third sealant tape 64 has been separated from the sample tape 16 at the end of the second area to expose and expose the underside of the sample tape 16 to the environment of the apparatus 210. The fourth sealing tape 66 is rolled up on a sixth spool 70 and stored. In operation, the fourth sealant tape 66 is unrolled from the sixth spool 70 for subsequent connection to the underside of the sample web 16 at the end of the exposure range.

In the device 210 of FIG. 7, the sample band 16 can be fluid-permeable in the region of the recordings, wherein the recordings can contain a filter material. By the double-sided sealing using the first to fourth sealing tape 18, 20, 64 and 66 before and after exposure and those images that the environment on both sides, ie on the top and bottom of the sample strip 16, exposed, before and after being exposed to the environment. Alternatively or additionally, the sample band 16 may also include portions that include separate and fluid-impermeable receptacles on opposite sides of the sample band 16. This can reduce the number of simultaneously exposed exposures, so that more samples can be collected simultaneously.

The device 310 of Figure 8 is a modification of the device 210 of Figure 7 with the difference that instead of the coils 68 and 70, a roller 72 is provided and that the underside of the sample strip 16 not only in the first and second region but also in the third and fourth area is connected to the third sealing tape 64. In the device 310, no fourth sealing tape 66 is provided. In operation of the device 310, the third sealant tape 64 is separated from the sample belt 16 at the end of the second region, then deflected over the roller 72 and then reconnected to the sample belt 16 at the end of the exposure range. In other embodiments, instead of the roller 72 or additionally another deflection means may be provided.

It should be noted that the described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. The scope of the present invention is determined solely by the appended claims.

Reference list

10, 110, 210, 310 device

12 first coil

14 second coil

16, 1 16 sample tape

18 first sealing tape

20 second sealing tape

22 third coil

24 fourth coil

26 air supply device

28, 51, 128 Recording (deepening), recording, recording (recording area)

30 intermediate areas

32 first role

34 second role

36 propellers

38 transport rollers

40 Transport hole

42 airspace

44, 144 system

46 subarea

48 subarea

50 exposure range

52 sections

54 first shots

56 second shots

58 housing

60 opening

62 shots

64 third sealing tape

66 fourth sealing tape

68 fifth coil

70 sixth coil

72 roll

Claims

1. Vomchtung (10, 1 10, 210, 310) for bulk sampling, comprising

- A sample strip (16, 1 16) having a plurality of receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) for collecting samples, wherein the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) by intermediate regions (30) of the Sample band (16, 1 16) are spaced from each other,

a first sealing band (18) which separates the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) of the sample band (16, 116) from their surroundings when the first sealing band (18) engages the sample band (16, 16) connected is,

a first spool (12) for storing coiled-together portions of the sample band (16, 16) and the first sealing band (18), the apparatus being adapted to facilitate the connection between the first sealing band (18) and the sample band (16, 16) on a portion of the sample band (16, 16) which has been unwound from the first coil (12) in conjunction with the first sealing band (18), and further with the first sealing band (12) during release; 18) connected portions of the sample tape (16, 16) are unrolled from the first spool (12) and exposed to different receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) at different times in the environment of the apparatus to collect samples, and further configured to connect the sample band (16,116) to the first or second seal band (18 or 20) and thereby receive the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) after exposure to their environment separated en, wherein the device further

- A second coil (14) to roll the sample tape (16, 1 16) after it has been connected to the first or second sealing tape (18, 20), together with the first and second sealing tape (18, 20).

A device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1, wherein the first coil (12) stores connected portions of the sample band (16, 116) and the first sealing band (18) and at least some of the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) of this sample band section are each hermetically sealed.

A device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second coil (14) stores connected portions of the sample band (16, 116) and the first or second sealing band (18, 20) and at least some the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) of this sample band section are each hermetically sealed.

The apparatus (10, 10, 210, 310) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the sample band (16, 16) is bonded to or bonded to the first and / or second sealing band (18, 20) by means of an adhesive becomes.

The apparatus (10, 110, 210, 310) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) comprise a recording medium.

6. Device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 5, wherein the recording medium is fixed or gel-like.

The apparatus (10, 110, 310, 310) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein different receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) comprise a different recording medium.

8. The device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacles (28, 51, 54, 56) recesses in the sample strip (16).

9. The device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 8, wherein the sample strip (16) comprises a deep-drawn plastic strip, wherein the sample strip (16) has no perforation in the recesses.

10. Vorrich mg (10, 1 10, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample strip (16, 1 16) has a Transporflochung (40).

A device (10, 10, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) comprise a circuit intended for analysis of the sample.

12. The device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) comprise a microstructured and / or microfluidic substrate, in the microchannels with a cross section in the micrometer range for the handling of liquids are introduced.

13. Device (210, 310) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) comprise an air-permeable filter material,

- The sample band (16, 1 16) in the region of the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) is permeable to air,

- The sample tape (16, 116) on the first coil (12) on a first side with the first sealing tape (18) is connected and on an opposite second side with a third sealing tape (64) is connected, and

- The sample tape on the second coil (14) on the first side with the first or with the second sealing tape (18 or 20) is connected and connected on the second side with the third or with a fourth sealing tape (64 or 66).

14. Apparatus (10, 10, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacles comprise first and second receptacles (54 and 56) arranged in adjacent tracks along the sample band (16, 16) ,

The apparatus (10, 110, 210, 310) of claim 14, wherein the first receptacles (54) comprise a different recording medium than the second receptacles (56).

The apparatus (10, 10, 210, 310) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a third spool (22) for receiving the first sealing tape (18) after it has been released from the sample tape (16, 116), and or a fourth coil (24) for dispensing the second sealing tape (20).

17. The device (10, 1 10, 210, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second coil (12, 14) in a cassette-like housing (58) are included.

A system (44, 144) comprising a device (10, 110, 310, 310) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising an air supply device (26) arranged and arranged to provide an air flow impinging upon a respective exposed one Recording the variety of shots (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) is directed.

A system (44, 144) comprising a device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 or system (44, 144) according to claim 18, further comprising an aircraft.

A system (44, 144) according to claim 18 or 19, comprising a data acquisition unit adapted for each of the receptacles (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) when communicating with the air environment of the device (10, 110, 210, 310) is exposed to determine a time indication and / or an indication of the location of the system (44, 144) and to store it on a computer-readable medium.

21. A system (44, 144) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, further comprising a measuring device configured to detect an amount of air provided by the air supply device, while a receptacle (28, 128, 51, 54, 56) is exposed to the air environment of the device (10, 110, 210, 310) and to store an air amount indication on a computer readable medium.

22. A method for mass collecting samples from the air comprising the following steps

Flying off an air space (42) with a system (44, 144) according to one of claims 19 to 21,

Collecting a plurality of samples with a device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to one of claims 1 to 18 or with a system (44, 144) according to one of claims 18 to 21,

Determining time and / or location information about the collected samples,

Assigning time and / or location information to the collected samples,

- Determining a temporal and / or spatial sample distribution for the flown airspace.