Sandra W Irwin

US Patent:

20120325084, Dec 27, 2012

Filed:

Jul 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/559004

Inventors:

Kenneth G. Sexton - Pittsboro NC, US
Harvey E. Jeffries - Chapel Hill NC, US
Ilona Jaspers - Chapel Hill NC, US
David H. Leith - Chapel Hill NC, US
Glenn W. Walters - Durham NC, US
Melanie Lynn Doyle-Eisele - Albuquerque NM, US
Kim M. Lichtveld - Durham NC, US
Sandra W. Irwin - Bridgewater NJ, US
James J. Jetter - Apex NC, US
Seth M. Ebersviller - Durham NC, US
William Vizuete - Chapel Hill NC, US
Jose Zavala Mendez - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

B03C 3/34
B03C 3/155

US Classification:

95 10, 96 58, 96 19, 95 69, 95 14, 95 8

Abstract:

Electrostatic aerosol in vitro exposure systems and methods are disclosed and can be used for collecting and depositing particulate matter onto tissue without pre-concentration, and without any intermediate collection steps such as use in water or on a filter. The system can include an inlet configured to receive air containing particulate matter, a receptacle configured to hold one or more tissue samples, a porous membrane providing support for an air-liquid interface of the tissue sample, and an electrostatic precipitation area. Particulate matter contained in the air received at the inlet can be electrically charged in the electrostatic precipitation area and flowed over the tissue sample, where it can be collected and measured.