Hand held toxicity tester

摘要

A system and method for reliably testing for toxic substances is described. Based on spectrographic means, the system embodies one or more types of spectrometers, designed for the detection of toxic elements such as lead, and alternatively designed for the detection of toxic compounds such as asbestos. By restricting the broad functionality common to a typical spectrometer, dramatic cost reductions can be made permitting the device to be cost-effectively manufactured and made available to the typical consumer. The device can be portable and incorporates safety systems to inhibit improper use.

主权项

1. A toxin detector comprising:
a spectroscopic system for analyzing a sample, the spectroscopic system comprising:
one or more collectors for collecting physical phenomena from one or more emission events associated with the sample;one or more filters for filtering the physical phenomena from the one or more collectors by one or more of isolating, reducing, amplifying, or sequencing the physical phenomena into a filtered spectra output;one or more detectors for receiving the filtered spectra output and producing one or more output measurement values;one or more transporters for transporting the filtered spectra output from the one or more filters to the one or more detectors; a determination system for processing the one or more output measurement values of the spectroscopic system, the determination system comprising a processor configured to perform one or more of:
evaluating the presence or absence of a toxin against a known library of emission measurements;evaluating the prevalence of a toxin against a known library of emission measurements;collecting representations of measurement outputs value; andassigning a categorical classification to the one or more toxins based on a Partial Least-Squares Discriminate-Function Analysis (PLDA) statistical analysis of the output measurement value; wherein the one or more collectors comprise a device that captures light comprising a central region through which an atomic or molecular emission initiation means is propagated, and a surrounding optical structure which directs emitted light in a uniform direction; wherein the optical structure is a concave mirror; wherein the concave mirror is the exterior sheath of a light pipe which conducts light via internal reflection; and wherein the light pipe is reduced at an end opposite the collector to one or more small rectangular region(s) optically equivalent to a spectroscopic slit.