Low concentration aerosol generator

摘要

A low concentration aerosol generator capable of generating aerosol particles of a known particle size and count is disclosed. The device includes a substantially hollow drying chamber having a first end, a second end, and a gas circulation means for circulating a gas in a flow through the drying chamber via an inlet means and an outlet means. The first end of the drying chamber has an aerosol droplet generator capable of generating aerosol droplets of a predetermined size and which droplets contain a detectable sample within the drying chamber. The second end of the drying chamber includes a delivery tube having a first orifice arranged within the drying chamber for receiving the detectable sample and a second orifice for allowing the detectable sample to exit the drying chamber. The gas circulation means includes means for generating and regulating the flow of the gas through the drying chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating and delivering a sample particle in a low velocity air stream to an analyzing instrument using the aforementioned device.