A vacuum probe surface sampler is described for rapidly sampling relatively large surface areas which possess relatively light loading densities of micro-organism, drug particles or the like. A vacuum head with a hollow handle connected to a suitable vacuum source is frictionally attached to a cone assembly terminating in a flared tip adapted to be passed over the surface to be sampled. A fine mesh screen carried by the vacuum head provides support for a membrane filter which collects the microorganisms or other particles. The head assembly is easily removed from the cone assembly without contacting the cone assembly with human hands

Zahlava, B. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent [19] 
Fletcher et ale 
[54] VACUUM PROBE SURFACE SAMPLER 
[76] Inventors: James C. Fletcher, Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration with respect to an 
invention of; Bruce A. Zahlava, 
Cary, N.C. 
[22] Filed: Dec. 30,1971 
[2 1] Appl. No .: 214,086 
[52 ] U.S. CI •.. ........ ..... .. .. 73/421.5 R, 15/415 , 73/28 
[51] Int. CI . ........... ... ... .... .. ... GOln 1/00, GO 1 n 1/24 
[58 ] Field of Search .................. ..... 73/421 R,425 .6, 
73/28,421.5 R; 15/415,420; 55/270 
[5 6 ] References Cited 
2,128,200 
2,027,543 
3,422,679 
3,438,1 79 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
8/1938 
1/1 936 
1/1969 
4/1969 
Allen ........... ..... ... ............. 15/415 X 
Lofgren ........ ....... ................. 15/420 
McGowan et aI .. ..... .. ....... 55/270 X 
louault ... .. .. ...................... 55/270 X 
18 43 
14 
17 
28 
~------.~ l 
2188, 
[ 11 ] 3,748,905 
[45 ] July 31, 1973 
3,618,393 11/1971 Principe et al... ........ ...... 73/425 .6 X 
3,011 ,336 12/1961 Weiss .. ...... .................. .. 73/421 R X 
Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser 
Assistant Examiner-Daniel M. Yasich 
Attorney-John R. Manning et at. 
[57] ABSTRACT 
A vacuum probe surface sampler for rapidly sampling 
relatively large surface areas which possess relative ly 
light loading densities of micro-organisms, drug parti -
cles or the like . A vacuum head having a hollow handle 
connected to a suitable vacuum source is frictionally 
attached to a cone assembly terminating in a flared tip 
adapted to be passed over the surface to be sampled . 
A fine mesh screen carried by the vacuum head pro-
vides support for a membrane fil ter which collects the 
microorganisms or other particles with the head assem-
bly being easily removed from the cone assembly with-
out contacting the cone assembly with human hands. 
6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 
I 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730021663 2020-03-17T09:05:48+00:00Z
PATENTEOJUL31 1913 3,748,905 
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38 
FIG.l 
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FIG.2 
INVENTOR. 
BRUCE A. ZAHLAVA 
B~(fJ~ p/~~ 
ATTORNEYS 
r---------.- '-
PATENTEDJUl31 1913 
SHEET 2 OF 2 
42 
22 
26 42 
3 .748.905 
VACUUM 
40 
FIG. 3 
FIG.4 
INVENTOR. 
BRUCE A. ZAHLAVA 
BY~/({l~ 
1J~  
ATTORNEYS 
3,748,905 
1 
V ACUUM PROBE SURFACE SAMPLER 
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION 
The invention described herein was made in the per-
formance of work under a NASA contract and is sub- 5 
ject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 
85-568 (72 Stat. 435; 42 USC 2457) . 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 
This invention relates generally to a surface sampler 
and relates in particular to a vacuum probe surface 
sampler having the capabilities of rapidly sampling rel-
atively light loading densities of micro-organisms, drug 
particles, or the like. 15 
In the field of space exploration a definite need has 
arisen for a portable, lightweight, inexpensive sampling 
device to sample the surface of spacecraft returning 
from space missions for microorganisms or the like. 20 
Also there is a need for a sampling device of this type, 
by law-enforcement officers, to check large areas of 
auto seats, bed covers, clothing, etc., for illegal drug 
particles, and the like . To be effective for this type of 
sampletaking, the sampler device must be capable of 25 
sterilization prior to use and free from external contam-
ination by contact with human hands prior to and sub-
sequent to sampling of a suspect surface area. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to 
provide a new and novel portable, lightweight, inexpen- 30 
sive surface sampler device. 
Another object of the present invention is a surface 
sampler that has the capabilities of sampling large sur-
face areas which possess relatively light loading densi-
ties of micro-organisms, drug particles or the like . 35 
A further Object of the present invention is a surface 
sampler that can be operated by semi-skilled techni-
cians and without danger of contaminating the test re-
sults by contact with human hands. 40 
An additional object of the present invention is a vac-
uum probe surface sampler having separable steriliz-
able parts that may be readily assembled and dissem-
bled without danger of contamination by human hands. 
2 
FIG. 1 is a part section view of the assembled vacuum 
probe surface sampler according to the present inven-
tion; 
FIG . 2 is an exploded view of the vacuum probe sur-
face sampler according to the present invention; 
FIG. 3 is a view of the surface sampler of the present 
invention in operation; and 
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the disassembly of the sur-
face sampler after completion of a sampling operation. 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like refer-
ence numerals designate identical parts throughout the 
several views, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, 
there is shown the vacuum probe surface sampler ac-
cording to the present invention and designated gener-
ally by reference numeral 10. Surface sampler 10 is 
composed of two major parts, a head assembly 12 and 
a cone assembly 22. 
Head assembly 12 is essentially cup-shaped and is 
provided with an integrally attached elongated tubular 
handle 14 as will be further explained hereinafter. The 
rim at the open end of assembly 12 is provided with a 
circumferential groove 16 for receiving a fine mesh 
screen 17. A split ring 18 serves to retain screen 17 
within groove 16. Screen 17 may be formed of any con-
ventional screening material with a 100-mesh, .0 I 0-
inch thickness stainless steel screen as support for 
membrane filter 43 (FIG. 2) which is suitable for re-
taining most micro-organisms. Membrane filters of this 
type are commercially available in a wide range of 
mean flow pour sizes, from 75A (7.5m,...) to 5,.... A spe-
cific example membrane suitable for use in the present 
invention is Triacetate Metricel, Type GA-6 , having a 
pour size of 0.45,... and a product of the Gelman Instru-
ment Company, 600 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, 
Michigan 48106. An O-ring seal 19 serves to insure a 
seal between vacuum head 12 and cone assembly 22. 
Cone assembly 22 includes a hollow frusto-conical 
segment 23 having an integrally attached cup-shaped 
base portion 24 having a scalloped rim area forming a 
tripod with the scalloped tips being essentially 1200 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention, the foregoing 
and other objects are attained by providing a cup-
shaped vacuum head assembly having an integrally at-
tached tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an op-
erator and attachable to a suitable vacuum source. A 
fine melh screen is retained in the head assembly by a 
suitable split ring and the entire head assembly friction-
ally fitted into the open end of a cone assembly. An 
elongated spout extends from the cone assembly and 
terminates in a flared open tip for engaging the surface 
to be sampled. The open end of the cone assembly re-
ceiving the head assembly is in the form of a circular 
tripod with the tripod ends being spaced 1200 apart. 
apart and designated by reference numerals 26, 27 and 
28 (FIG. 2) . A circumferential groove 29 is formed be-
tween conical segment 23 and the cup-shaped base 24 
to receive O-ring 19 and, along with the tapered com-
45 plimentary surfaces of the mated parts, serves to pro-
vide frictional engagement of head assembly 12 by the 
cup-shaped base 24. A notched area 31 (FIG. 3) is also 
provided within cup-shaped base 24 to receive tubular 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
A more complete appreciation of the invention and 
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be 
readily appreciated as the same becomes better under-
stood by reference to the following detailed description 
when considered in connection with the accompanying 
drawings wherein: 
50 handle 14 in such position that the entire head assem-
bly 12 is vertically spaced from the scalloped surfaces 
26,27 and 28 when the surface sampler is assembled. 
An elongated tubular spout 34 also integrally extends 
from frusto-conical segment 23 and terminates in a 
55 substantially flattened open tip portion 35. A pair of 
short leg members 37 and 38 integrally extend from the 
opposite side of tip portion 35 to engage the lIurface 
area being sampled while maintaining the major por-
tion of tip 35 slightly spaced from the surface. 
60 OPERATION 
The operation of the invention is now believed appar-
ent. Initially, vacuum head assembly 12 is assembled 
with screen 17 being retained in place by split ring 18. 
65 O-ring seal 19 is then positioned within groove 29 and 
head assembly 12 and cone assembly 22 frictionally 
joined together. The entire cone assembly 22 is then 
sterilized in any conventional manner prior to use 
3,748,905 
3 
thereof and can be packaged and maintained until 
ready for use. When using the surface sampler 10, tu-
bular handle 14 is connected to a suitable vacuum 
source 40 via flexible tubing 41 (FIG. 3) and tip 35 
moved over the surface to be sampled by movement of 5 
handle 14. The vacuum source 40 will insure a flow of 
air through tip 3S as noted by the arrows in FIG. 3 and 
any micro-organisms, drug particles or the like on the 
test surface flowing with the air and trapped by mem-
brane filter 43. After completion of a sampling opera- 10 
tion vacuum probe 10 is disconnected from vacuum 
source 40 and inverted as shown in FIG . 4. A slight tap 
to the protruding legs 26, 27 and 28 on a table 42, or 
the like, will release cone assembly 22 from head as-
sembly 12, leaving filter 43 in cone assembly 22 for 15 
easy removal and subsequent analysis of the trapped 
particles. 
Although the invention has been described relative to 
a specific embodiment thereof, it is not so limited, and 
many modifications and variations thereof will be 20 
readily apparent to those skilled in the art in the light 
of the above teachings. For example, no specific mate-
rials have been described for making the various com-
ponents, it being understood that any suitable light-
weight metal, plastics or the like, may be employed that 25 
would be inert to the material or harmless to the micro-
organisms being sampled. The low cost of molding the 
cone assembly 22 from plastics permits discarding or 
disposing of the unit after use thereby resulting in sig-
nificant economics over cleaning, inspection, repair, 30 
packaging and re-sterilization. Also, although a specific 
filter screen has been disclosed, it is to be understood 
that any conventional screen mesh size and screen ma-
terial may be used with the present invention to provide 
support for membrane filter 43. Additionally, no spe- 35 
cific vacuum pressure has been disclosed and any con-
ventional vacuum system may be employed with the 
test that will cause an even steady flow of air through 
the sampler so that the micro-organisms or other parti-
cles tested will be trapped by the filter screen. It is 40 
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the 
appended claims the invention may be practiced other-
wise than as specifically described. 
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 
Letters Patent of the United States is: 45 
1. A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: 
I. a head assembly, 
a. said head assembly being cup-shaped and includ-
ing an integrally attached elongated tubular elon-
gated tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an 50 
operator, 
I. said tubular handle being connected to a vac-
uum source for operation of said surface sam-
pler, 
II. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head 55 
assembly, 
a. said cone assembly including a hollow frusto-
conical segment having an integrally attached 
cup-shaped base portion and an elongated tubu-
lar spout, 60 
I. said cup-shaped base portion having a periph-
ery thereof in the form of a tripod, 
2. said cup-shaped base portion also serving to 
receive said head assembly with a notched area 
65 
4 
in said cup-shaped base portion receiving said 
tubular handle in such position that when said 
head assembly is received by said cup-shaped 
base portion that the entire head assembly will 
be vertically spaced from the tripod periphery 
of said cup-shaped portion, 
3. said tubular spout terminating in a substan-
tially flattened open tip portion, 
4. a pair of leg members integral with said tip 
portion and adapted to engage the surface to 
be sampled by said surface sampler while main-
taining the major portion of said tip portion 
slightly spaced from the surface and 
5. collecting means detachably mounted within 
said cone assembly serving to retain samples 
removed from the surface being sampled. 
2. The vacuum surface probe sampler of claim 1 
wherein said collecting means includes: 
a lOO-mesh stainless steel screen carried by said head 
assembly and supporting a membrane filter for col-
lecting micro-organisms or the like when said vac-
uum probe surface sampler is passed over a test 
surface area. 
3. The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 2 
wherein: 
said head portion is provided with an annular groove 
for receiving said screen and wherein the periphery 
of said screen is received by said annular groove. 
4. The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 3 and 
further including a split retaining ring adapted to be re-
ceived by said annular groove in said head assembly to 
thereby retain said screen in position within said head 
assembly. 
5. The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 1 in-
cluding an O-ring seal position able between engaging 
surfaces of said head assembly and said cone assembly 
to provide a vacuum seal between these parts when 
friction-fitted together. 
6. A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: 
a. a head assembly, and 
b. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head as-
sembly, 
said head assembly being hollow and including an in-
tegrally attached elongated tubular handle adapted 
to be grasped by an operator, 
said tubular handle being attachable to a vacuum 
source at the free end thereof, 
said cone assembly including an open cup-shaped 
portion and a base hollow cone portion integral 
with said cup-shaped portion, 
said cone portion having an elongated tubular spout 
integrally extending therefrom, 
said spout terminating in a flared substantially flat-
tened open tip, 
said flattened tip having an integrally attached pair of 
legs extending therefrom 80 as to maintain the 
major portion of said tip spaced slightly from a sur-
face contacted by said legs during sampling of the 
surface for micro-organisms or the like, and 
means detachably within said cone portion for col-
lecting and retaining samples received from said 
surface being sampled. 
• • • • • 


Vacuum probe surface sampler

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