WO2006068522A2

WO2006068522A2 - Sample extraction system

Info

Publication number: WO2006068522A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicole Ann More; Robert Andrew Wade
Original assignee: Agresearch Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: WO2006068522A3; NZ537372A

Abstract

A sample extraction system (100) interfaces with a sampling device (101). The sampling device (101) includes a capture material located within the interior of a sampling chamber. The sample extraction system (100) includes at least one carrier fluid supply (103) adapted to introduce a least one carrier fluid flow to the interior of the sampling chamber and at least one inlet port (102) adapted to receive a sample fluid flow from the interior of the sampling chamber. The sample extraction system (100) also includes at least one energy supply system adapted to facilitate the extraction of a sample compound from the capture material and also a thermal control system adapted to heat or cool the exterior of the sampling chamber.

Description

SAMPLE EXTRACTION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved sample extraction system. Preferably the present invention may be used to extract compounds from an absorbent or adsorbent capture surface or material which has previously been used to trap such compounds. Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention being used in this application, but those skilled in the art should appreciate that other implementations of the technology involved are also envisioned.

BACKGROUND ART

Worldwide over 200 million containers are shipped around the world, which equates to approximately 90% of the worlds cargo. The main security issues with container transport include terrorist activity, movement of illegal substances such as weapons, explosives, narcotics, and bio-security, which is especially important in an isolated country like New Zealand. Wood packaging and containers can contain pests and micro-organisms which can have an adverse effect on a country's biodiversity.

Wood, explosives and narcotics all expel characteristic volatile compounds, such as for example, terpene hydrocarbons which are indicative of wood packaging. Originally the only method of detecting volatiles such as those produces by narcotics in an enclosed environment was the use of sniffer dogs, trained to detect volatile odours from narcotics, explosives and/or organic material. While sniffer dogs are able to detect volatiles at relatively low levels, both training and working them are labour intensive, expensive and a specialised process.

Volatile compounds can be collected from a contained area, and analysed using analytical techniques such as gas-chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Although this allows a high throughput and is a sensitive method for analysing collected samples, it is often not possible to analyse these samples immediately on the spot. Sniffer dogs are one means used to identify restricted biological materials which emit volatile compounds at airports, through checking passenger arrivals and their luggage. Another technique often used is Ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS). However, for the large numbers of shipping containers handled by a commercial port, these approaches may not be practical or may not be sensitive enough to detect trace quantities of volatiles contained within a shipping container.

One attempt to address this issue is disclosed in PCT patent application number PCT/NZ2004/000137. This document describes a method of detecting signature volatile compounds of targeted materials in a confined environment through leaving a package which includes an adsorbent or absorbent capture surface in environments such as a shipping container during transport. The package includes a means to enable a flow of air to pass over the surface and hence allow volatile compounds to be captured by the surface. Volatiles are then extracted, analysed, and compared against a database of known profiles of signature volatile compounds of the targeted material.

The speed of extraction of volatile compounds from a capture surface is related to the temperature to which the surface is raised to, and the stability of the volatile compounds to be sampled. The higher the temperature, the faster the desorption kinetics. It is preferable to desorb as much as possible of the volatile compounds involved in a short period of time. This increases the sensitivity of any following analytical process which has delivered a high concentration of compounds of interest over a relatively short period of time.

It is also preferable to quickly raise the temperature of such a capture surface to release the volatile compounds involved quickly before they degrade under a slower heating process. In the case where the atmosphere of shipping containers is to be sampled, is also preferable to extract the volatile compounds from the surfaces involved quickly, allowing samples from a large number of containers to be processed effectively.

Those skilled in the field will also appreciate that the sampling of volatile compounds is a comparatively non-invasive method which is preferable in a number of applications. In other instances it may also be possible (and potentially preferable) to sample other types of non-volatile or non-fluid based compounds to again achieve the same aim.

For example liquid sampling, particulate sampling and/or bio sensor analysis may all achieve the same aim as those addressed though sampling volatile compounds.

In addition, in such applications it is also conceivable that relatively unskilled personnel will be required to assist in the handling and placement of packages within containers, and the subsequent removal of such packages for processing to release the volatile compound or compounds sampled. In these instances it would be preferable to have a fast and simplified system for engaging with the packages involved to quickly extract volatile compounds through an automated or semi- automated process.

An improved sample extraction system which addressed any or all of the above issues would be of advantage. A sample extraction system which promoted the rapid heating of an absorbent or adsorbent capture surface used to trap compounds to be sampled would be of advantage. Furthermore, a sample extraction system which could be operated automatically or semi-autonomously by unskilled personnel would also be of advantage. In addition a sample extraction system which could rapidly extract compounds from capture surfaces to provide a high throughput for a sample extraction process would also be of advantage. Furthermore it would also be of advantage to have an improved sample extraction system which could manage identification information of individual sampling devices and which could associate this identification information with both a sample extracted from a sampling device in addition to further environmental data related to the environment in which the sample is collected.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sample extraction system adapted to be interfaced with a sampling device, said sampling device including a capture material located within the interior of a sampling chamber, the sample extraction system including,

at least one carrier fluid supply adapted to introduce at least one carrier fluid flow into the interior of the sampling chamber, and

at least one inlet port adapted to receive a sample fluid flow from the interior of the sampling chamber, and

at least one energy supply system adapted to facilitate the extraction of at least one sampled compound from the capture material within the sampling chamber, and

a thermal control system adapted to heat or cool the exterior of the sampling chamber.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sample extraction system substantially as described above wherein said system also includes a data capture system. Preferably this data capture system may be adapted to receive identification and/or environmental data from the sampling device.

The present invention is adapted to provide a sample extraction system. This extraction system may be used to provide an interface, link or docking station for a separate sampling device. A compound or compounds sampled by such a sampling device may be preferably extracted using the present invention and subsequently delivered to a further analytical system or device. The sample extraction system of the present invention may therefore provide a mechanism used to facilitate the extraction of a sampled compound or compounds from a sampling device and may in turn supply such extracted compounds to one of a range of analytical devices.

In a preferred embodiment a sample to be extracted in conjunction with the present invention may be any form of volatile compound or collection of volatile compounds. Such volatile compounds may be present within the atmosphere of a region to be sampled, where the sampling device to be interfaced with the present invention may be used to collect, store or trap such volatile compounds when used.

However, those skilled in the art should also appreciate the present invention may also be used in the sampling extraction and/or collection of other types of compounds and in particular not just volatile compounds. For example, the present invention may be used with a range of liquids, gas, and even particulate samples in other embodiments, and may also potentially be used in conjunction with bio sensor analysis processes if required. Furthermore such sample compounds may also include organisms, DNA or any other biological compound if required. Such sample compounds be in the forms of particles, liquids, gasses or cells, where the form of the sample compound will again depend on the application within which the present invention is used.

In a preferred embodiment the sampling device with which the present invention is to be interfaced may be similar or equivalent to the sampling device described in PCT patent application number PCT/NZ2004/000137. This type of sampling device includes an absorbent or adsorbent capture material or matrix located within the interior of an air tight sampling chamber. The capture material may be exposed to an air flow sourced from the confined environment which is to have its atmosphere sampled, where this material is adapted to capture volatile compounds present within the airflow it is exposed to.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention being adapted to interface with the sampling device discussed and disclosed in the above PCT patent application. Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the adsorbent or absorbent capture material employed in conjunction with the present invention being a material adapted to absorb volatile compounds from a fluid-flow.

However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other forms of capture materials and sampling devices may also be interfaced with the present invention and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting. For example in other embodiments a capture material may be formed by a fluid which is exposed to a sample compound. Alternatively a capture material may be formed by some form of mechanical filter designed or configured to trap particles in other embodiments.

Furthermore, reference in the main throughout this specification will be made to the present invention dealing with gas flows, with gas based volatiles being extracted and the provision of at least one carrier gas supply in the construction of the invention. However, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that liquids or other types of fluids may also be handled in relation to the invention and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that references to fluids throughout this specification should encompass both the handling of liquids and/or gasses.

In a preferred embodiment a sample extraction system provided in accordance with the present invention may include at least one carrier fluid supply. A carrier fluid supply can be used to introduce a carrier fluid or fluid flow into the interior of the sampling device's sampling chamber.

Preferably a carrier fluid may be composed of inert or non-reactive fluid compounds which may be used to flush out the volume of the sampling device's sampling chamber.

In a further preferred embodiment a single carrier fluid supply only may be provided in conjunction with the present invention. A single inert carrier fluid flow may be sufficient in a number of applications to readily flush out the volume of a sampling chamber, provided that the carrier fluid introduced does not react with any compounds to be extracted in conjunction with the present invention.

However, in alternative embodiments a plurality of fluid supplies may be provided if required. In such instances various different types of fluids may be introduced as carrier fluid flows, either simultaneously or independently depending on the particular characteristics of the compound to be extracted in conjunction with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment helium may be introduced by a carrier fluid supply into the interior of a sampling device's sampling chamber. Helium is an inert gas which does not react with a wide range and number of volatile compounds, allowing the fluid flow introduced to effectively flush the sampling chamber without modifying or changing the characteristics of the compounds to be sampled.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention including a helium based carrier fluid supply in a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other types of fluid (such as, for example, nitrogen) may also be provided as part of a carrier fluid supply if required, and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting. For example in other embodiments argon, neon, nitrogen or alternatively other non-reactive fluids may all be employed in conjunction with the present invention if required.

In a preferred embodiment a carrier fluid or fluid supply may include a reservoir as a source of a carrier fluid. In a preferred embodiment a carrier fluid supply may include a fluid-lock system arrangement to be interfaced with the sampling device involved. This fluid-lock can be used to ensure that only the carrier fluid involved is supplied into the interior of the sampling devices sampling chamber.

In a further preferred embodiment a carrier fluid supply's fluid-lock system may include a hollow fluid supply needle and septum arrangement. The septum involved can be mounted in a sampling device to supply a fluid-lock based barrier which is pierced by a fluid supply needle as required. The carrier fluid involved may then be supplied through such a hollow needle driven into the interior of a sampling chamber.

In a preferred embodiment a carrier fluid supply may include a contaminant purging system which is activated or used prior to the fluid delivery mechanisms of the carrier fluid supply. Such a contaminant purging system may be used to flush out the open areas or cavities of the carrier fluid supply system to remove any contaminate compounds. For example, in one preferred embodiment a carrier fluid supply may include an exhaust port which is opened prior to the carrier fluid supply being interfaced with the sampling device. A carrier fluid flow can then be introduced to flush the system, and exit through the exhaust port. This port can then be closed prior to the sampling device being engaged with the carrier fluid supply.

In a preferred embodiment a sample extraction system provided in accordance with the present invention may include at least one inlet port. An inlet port may be used to receive a sample fluid flow, being a fluid flow generated through the mixture of a carrier fluid supply with volatile compounds which have been extracted from the absorbent material of the sampling device. This sample fluid flow may be received by the sample extraction system through such an inlet port or ports. In a further preferred embodiment the present invention may include a single inlet port only. A single inlet port may function to receive a sample fluid flow as required to operate the invention effectively. Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention including a single inlet port only. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that multiple inlet ports may also be provided if required and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment an inlet port may also include a fluid-lock system or arrangement to be interfaced with the sampling device involved. This fluid-lock can be used to ensure that only the sample fluid flow involved enters into the extraction system provided through its inlet port.

In a further preferred embodiment an inlet ports fluid-lock system may include a hollow sample extraction needle and septum arrangement. The septum involved can be mounted in a sampling device to supply a fluid-lock based barrier which is pierced by the sample extraction needle as required. The carrier fluid flow involved may then be drawn out of the sampling devices sampling chamber through the hollow fluid sample extraction needle provided.

In a further preferred embodiment an inlet port may include a contaminant purging system which is activated or used prior to a sample fluid flow being extracted from the sampling devices sampling chamber. Such a contaminant purging system may be used to flush out the open volumes, or spaces within the inlet port to remove any contaminant compounds prior to a sample fluid flow being provided. For example, in one preferred embodiment the inlet port may include an exhaust port which is used with a purging fluid supply to flush the interior of the inlet port as required.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may include a single inlet port and a single carrier fluid supply, where each of these subsystems are located directly opposite one another with the sampling device being located between them. This configuration of the extraction system allows the fluid pressure of a carrier fluid flow to flush out the atmosphere of the sampling chamber and in turn drive a sample fluid flow directly towards the inlet port provided.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention including a single inlet port and a single carrier fluid supply adapted to have the sampling chamber and sampling device located between them. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other configurations of the present invention are also envisioned and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting. For example, in one alternative embodiment a combined inlet port and carrier fluid supply system may be employed. In such instances a single port or aperture may be provided to both introduce a carrier fluid to flush the atmosphere of a sampling chamber, where the same port is then subsequently used to receive a sample fluid flow from within the sample chamber.

In a preferred embodiment the sample extraction system may also include an outlet port. This outlet port may be engaged or interfaced with a further analytical device capable of receiving a sample fluid flow. Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that the present invention may include multiple outlet ports, or a single outlet port which may be engaged with a number of analytical devices as required. The exact arrangement and configuration of an outlet port will be determined by the specific application with which the present invention is used.

Reference throughout this specification will however be made to the extraction system provided including a single outlet port interfaced with a gas chromatograph. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above types of analytical devices may also be interfaced with the present invention as required and reference to the above throughout this specification only should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may also include or provide an energy supply system. This energy supply system may be used to facilitate the extraction of one or more volatile compounds from the absorbent material of a sampling device in a preferred embodiment. Preferably the energy supply system involved may be used to supply energy to a desorption heater integrated within the sampling device. Such a desorption heater can be employed to heat the sampling devices absorbent material to comparatively high temperatures in relatively short periods of time.

In a further preferred embodiment the present invention's energy supply system may be configured to supply electrical current to an electrical resistance provided in the sampling device as a desorption heater. This electrical resistance within the sampling device may form a plate or surface on which the sampling devices absorbent material is located, thereby allowing this electrical resistance to directly heat the absorbent material on the application of an electrical current.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the extraction system provided including an energy supply system adapted to supply an electrical current. However those skilled in the art should appreciate that other types of energy may be employed by a sampling device's desorption heater, and reference to the use of an electrical current only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

For example, in one alternative embodiment an energy supply system may be configured to supply heated or cooled fluid flows to the sampling device. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that other mechanisms apart from the supply of electrical energy or electrical current may also be used to in turn provide energy to a sampling device in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment the extraction system's energy supply system may be adapted to supply electrical current sufficient to provide a temperature of above 200^° C within the sampling chamber involved. In a further preferred embodiment the desorption heater of the sampling device may be driven or powered so as to generate a temperature between 250^°C and 350^°C within the sampling chamber. Preferably the temperature within the sampling chamber may be raised as quickly as possible to improve the quality of any resulting volatile compounds samples extracted.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention's energy supply system may be linked to a feedback facility which may monitor the temperature within a sampling chamber. For example, in one embodiment the energy supply system may be engaged with a sensor or sensors located or associated with the sampling device.

The output signal or signals of such sensor(s) can in turn be used to control the amount of energy supplied to the sampling device by the energy supply system.

This feature may allow a staged heating of the absorbent material involved to be implemented, allowing various or differing volatile compounds to be extracted from the absorbent surface separately at different temperatures.

In a preferred embodiment the sample extraction system may include a complimentary recess or projection which engages with a complimentary projection or recess on a sampling device. This recess/projection pair may be provided in conjunction with an energy supply system to engage one or more electrical connectors with each other to subsequently supply electrical energy to the desorption heater of the sampling device.

This configuration of the energy supply system involved readily allows unskilled personnel to easily position and locate the sampling device in an engaged position with respect to the sample extraction system. The recess/projection pair of the energy supply system may guide and locate the sampling device with respect to the extraction system, therefore ensuring that the electrical contacts required of the energy supply system are effective.

In a preferred embodiment the extraction system also includes a thermal control . system which is adapted to heat or cool the exterior of the sampling devices sampling chamber.

Heating the exterior of the sampling chamber brings the overall ambient or average temperature of this region up, preferably prior to the activation of any desorption heater integrated within the sampling device. The use of a heat based system by the sample extraction device of the present invention can reduce the work load required of the sampling device's desorption heater. The surrounding materials and components of the sampling chamber directly adjacent to the absorbent surface will therefore draw less heat energy from the absorbent surface as it is heated rapidly by the desorption heater. Such a system may therefore introduce a significant amount of heat energy into the sampling chamber, allowing the sampling device's own desorption heater to work quickly to heat the absorbent material up to a set or required temperature for extraction.

In other instances the thermal control system may be employed to provide a cooling effect. In applications other than the capture of volatile compounds, a cooling effect may be employed if required.

In yet other embodiments a thermal control system may be provided to maintain the temperature within a sampling device's sampling chamber. For example in some instances where biological based sample compounds are to be extracted a specific temperature may need to be maintained within a sample chamber over the extraction process to avoid deterioration or modification of the characteristics of the biological sample compound.

Reference in the main throughout this specification will however be made to the thermal control system provided being employed to produce a heating effect. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that equivalent features of the thermal control system described for the purposes of heating may equally well be employed to cool, or to maintain temperatures.

In a preferred embodiment the thermal control system may include at least one thermal control block adapted to at least partially surround the sampling chamber when the sampling device is interfaced with the present invention. A thermal control block or blocks may be placed in physical contact with an exterior surface of the sampling chamber to apply a heating or a cooling effect to same.

In a further preferred embodiment such a thermal control system may be implemented through at least one heater block adapted to at least partially surround the sampling chamber when the sampling device is interfaced with the present invention. These heating blocks may be formed from comparatively large blocks of metal which are heated by an electrical current to in turn transfer further thermal energy into the interior of the sampling chamber.

As discussed above in other instances these blocks may be provided as cooling blocks when the thermal control unit is configured to provide a cooling effect. For example, in such instances a cooling fluid may be circulated around the exterior surface or surfaces of such cooling blocks to in turn cool the blocks and therefore the sampling chamber involved.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may also include a data capture system adapted to receive data from the sampling device. Such a data capture system may be adapted to receive identification and/or environmental data from a sampling device.

In a preferred embodiment a data capture system may be adapted to receive identification data from a sampling device, where this identification data may be characteristic of the sampling device, potentially in the form of a unique identification serial number or unit number associated with a particular sampling device. This unique serial number may be used to independently identify particular samples extracted by the present invention.

In the further preferred embodiment such a data capture system may be adapted to receive environmental data from a sampling device. Such environmental data may be harvested from, for example, transducers or sensors associated with a sampling device. Such sensors may provide environment data with respect to the temperature or humidity of the confined environment in which an extracted sample was obtained in addition to, for example, the time in which a sample is taken and the duration of the sample collection process executed by a sampling device.

However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above listed types of environmental data should in no way be seen as limiting, as the actual data collected will be determined by the transducers available to a sampling device.

In a preferred embodiment such a data capture system may include an interface to a communications channel. In particular the communication channel provided (be it, for example, a radio frequency link or a physical wire link between the extraction system and a sampling device) may be configured to allow data to be transferred between these two systems. For example, in a preferred embodiment a physical wire link in the form of a serial connection may be made between the extraction system provided and a sampling device.

In a preferred embodiment a data capture system may also include a memory element. Such memory elements are well known in the art and can be used to provide a temporary buffer or a permanent storage facility for data captured from a sampling device. In a further preferred embodiment such a memory element may also be accessed by the analytical device to which volatile compounds are delivered for subsequent analysis. In such instances the analytical device involved may generate a digital output file which in turn can integrate data obtained from a sampling device by the data capture system.

The present invention may provide many potential advantages of the prior art.

The provision of an additional heating based thermal control system to heat the exterior of a sampling chamber substantially reduces the workload placed on the sampling devices own desorption heater when volatile compounds are to be extracted. The heating provided may effectively preheat the sampling chamber to reduce the temperature differential which the desorption heater must work against to raise the temperature of the adsorbent or absorbent capture material to a required or set level.

Furthermore, this thermal control system can significantly speed up the extraction process to be completed. A significant amount of thermal energy may be introduced into the sampling device over a short period of time to rapidly extract volatile compounds from the capture material involved.

The provision of a complementary recess/projection pair of features on the extraction system and sampling device to be interfaced also allows these two systems to be quickly and easily engaged with each other in a standard positioning arrangement. The location of a projection with a complementary recess allows for the accurate positioning and contacting of electrical contacts used to supply electrical energy to a sampling device desorption heater. This feature also readily allows for the placement and engagement of heater or cooling blocks employed by a thermal control system to at least partially enclose or surround the sampling chamber of a sampling device.

Furthermore the provision of a data capture system in conjunction with the present invention also allows electronic data to be harvested from a sampling device. In such instances preferably a unique identification serial number may be captured in conjunction with other environmental data specific to the confined environment from which a sample was captured. Such a data capture system may also provide access to the data involved to an analytical device, and allow the integration of identification and environmental data into an analytical results file generated by such an analytical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an extraction system provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment when engaged with a sampling device and an analytical device, and

Figure 2 shows a series of moving clamping components of the extraction system discussed with respect to figure 1 , and

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show various stages of operation of the extraction system of figures 1 and 2 through a number of side cross section views, and

Figure 4 shows a large perspective view of an energy supply system of the extraction system discussed with respect to the previous figures, and

Figure 5 shows a side cross section view of the extraction system discussed with respect to the previous figures when engaged with a sampling device including details of gas flow paths provided within same.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an extraction system provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment when engaged with a sampling device and an analytical device. In the embodiment discussed with respect to figure 1 , the extraction system is used to extract volatile gas based compounds from a sampling device.

Figure 1 shows an extraction system 100 provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the view shown the extraction system 100 is interfaced and engaged with a sampling device 101. The extraction system 100 is also interfaced and engaged with a further analytical device, shown in the figure provided as a gas chromatograph 500.

This can be seen from figure 1 , the extraction system 100 includes a number of movable mounting plates (discussed with respect to figure 2) in addition to a single inlet port assembly 102, and a single carrier fluid supply 103.

Figure 2 shows a series of moving clamping components of the extraction system discussed with respect to figure 1.

As can be seen from figure 2 the extraction system 100 includes a pair of upper and lower base plates 153, 150 with a pair of shaft guides 151 , 152 disposed between these base plates. An upper, middle, and lower set of sliding plates 164, 163 and 162 are also provided which can slide up and down along the shaft guides 151 , 152. A set of pneumatic actuators 165, 166 and 171 are provided in combination with a set of connection rods 168, 170 and 173 to allow for adjustment and manoeuvring of each of the sliding plates with respect to one another and the base plates 153, 150. A number of elements of a thermal control system are also illustrated with respect to figures 1 and 2 in the form of a pair of top and bottom thermal control blocks, 174, 175. In use each of these blocks is heated by an electrical current to approximately 200^° C. The pneumatic actuators provided are used to manoeuvre each of the heating blocks into position so as to surround a portion of the sampling device 101 and to engage same with the extraction system 100. As can be seen from figure 2, where the extraction system is in an open or unloaded configuration, each of the top and bottom heating blocks 174, 175 is provided with a complimentary fit configuration to surround and enclose the end of a sampling device.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show various stages of operation of the extraction system of figures 1 and 2 through a number of side cross section views.

As can be seen from figures 3a-c a projecting end 189 of the sampling device 101 can be initially inserted between the heater blocks 174, 175 of the extraction system's heating system. The sampling chamber of the sampling device 101 is also shown, and includes a desorption heater 190 on which an absorbent material is layered.

Figure 3a illustrates the condition where the sampling device 101 is initially loaded into the extraction system 100.

Figure 3b and 3c illustrate the next stages of operation where the pneumatic actuators 165, 166, 171 discussed with respect to figure 2 are operated. In the case of figure 3b these actuators initially place the heating blocks 174, 175 into position around the end of the sampling device so as to enclose and surround the sampling chamber. As can be seen from figure 3b, a pair of O-ring seals 179 and 182 are also compressed to provide a fluid tight seal between the gas supply system and inlet port system with the sampling device. Figure 3c illustrates the final stage of operation of the extraction system where a gas supply needle 106 of the carrier fluid supply is manoeuvred to pierce a gas tight airtight septum 198 within the sampling device and to drive the gas supply needle into the interior of the sampling device's sampling chamber. At the same time a sample extraction needle 121 is driven upwards again through a gas tight septum 203 within the sampling device into the interior of the sampling device's sampling chamber to receive a sample gas flow.

The extraction process to be completed initially starts with the configuration shown with respect to figure 3a. During the sample extraction process the heater blocks 174, 175 (which are maintained at 200⁰C) are placed in position around the sampling chamber via a pneumatic actuator 166, as shown in figure 3b. This will in turn preheat the interior of the sampling chamber in anticipation of the desorption heater 190 within the sampling device being activated. The gas supply needle 106 and the sample extraction needle 121 piece the septa within the projection of the sampling device and complete the seal around the sampling chamber, as shown in figure 3c. The desorption heater is subsequently activated to heat the absorbent material involved and free volatile compounds from same while a carrier gas passes through the sampling chamber to transfer the released compounds to an analytical device.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of an energy supply system of the extraction system discussed with respect to the previous figures.

Figure 4 shows elements of a energy supply system 184, 185 provided in conjunction with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A pair of electrical contacts 184, 185 is provided to engage with a pair of spring loaded electrical contact probes 205, 206 of the sampling device which project out from the end of the sampling device 101. These contact probes engage with each of the electrical contacts 184, 185 of the electrical supply system to in turn allow electrical current to be delivered to the desorption heater components 190 of the sampling device.

As can be seen from figure 4 the projecting probes 205, 206 assisted in guiding the end of the sampling device when engaged with the extraction system. Furthermore, these probes also facilitate the direct supply of an electrical current easily to the desorption heater 190 of the sampling device.

Figure 5 shows a side cross section view of the extraction system discussed with respect to previous figures when engaged with a sampling device including details of gas flow paths provided within same.

Figure 5 shows in more details a connection port 133 for a carrier gas supply reservoir. A carrier gas may be delivered to the carrier gas supply components 103 of the extraction system via such a port to in turn be delivered into the interior of the sampling chamber of the sampling device 101.

Figure 5 also illustrates the provision of an interface with the gas chromatograph 500 discussed with respect to figure 1 through an exhaust port 216. The inlet port assembly 102 shown is adapted to receive a sample gas flow from the interior of the sample chamber and to subsequently supply this sample gas flow throughout the exhaust port 216 into the gas chromatograph for further analysis and assessment.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A sample extraction system adapted to be interfaced with a sampling device, said sampling device including a capture material located within the interior of a sampling chamber, the sample extraction system including,

2. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 1 wherein compounds extracted from a sampling device are delivered by the sample extraction system to an analytical device.

3. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein compounds extracted by the sample extraction system include at least one volatile compound.

4. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim which includes a complimentary recess or projection which engages with a complimentary projection or recess formed in the sampling device.

5. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein the energy supply system supplies energy to a desorption heater integrated within the sampling device.

6. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the energy supply system supplies electrical current to the sampling device.

7. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the energy supply system is associated with a temperature feedback means configured to monitor the temperature within the interior of a sampling chamber of a sampling device.

8. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein the thermal control system includes at least one thermal control block adapted to at least partially surround the sampling chamber of a sampling device when said sampling device is interfaced with the sample extraction system.

9. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim which includes a data capture system configured to receive data from a sampling device interfaced with said sample extraction system.

10. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the data capture system is configured to receive identification data characteristic of a sampling device.

11. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the data capture system is adapted to receive environmental data from a sampling device interfaced with the sample extraction system.

12. A sample extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the data capture system includes an interface to a communications channel.

13. A sample extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the data capture system includes a memory element.

14. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein a carrier fluid supply supplies a non-reactive fluid compound to flush out a sampling chamber of a sampling device.

15. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein the carrier fluid supply is configured as a carrier gas supply.

16. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the carrier gas supply includes a reservoir of carrier gas. T/NZ2005/000344

17. A sample extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 15 or 16 wherein the carrier gas supply supplies helium gas.

18. A sample extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the carrier gas supply includes a fluid-lock system.

19. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the fluid-lock system includes a hollow gas supply needle and septum.

20. A sample extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the carrier gas supply includes a contaminant purging system.

21. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the carrier gas supply includes an exhaust port.

22. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein the inlet port includes a fluid-lock system.

23. A sample extraction system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the fluid-lock system of the inlet port includes a hollow sample extraction needle and septum.

24. A sample extraction system as claimed in any previous claim wherein an inlet port includes a contaminant purging system.

25. A sample extraction system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.