Method and device for collecting and analysing airborne particles
A method for collecting and analysing airborne particles, including a step of eluting particles precipitated on a collecting surface, a step of analysing the airborne particles collected in the reaction chamber, the eluting step being carried out by heating a first reservoir containing the elution liquid to a first temperature value, the analysing step being carried out by heating the reaction chamber to a second temperature value higher than the first temperature value, so as to: activate a detection reaction in the reaction chamber, isolate the reaction chamber during the detection reaction, initiate a device for sealing the reaction chamber, a step of sealing the reaction chamber.
1 . A method for collecting and analysing airborne particles, comprising:
precipitating particles from air on a collecting surface;
injecting a first reservoir with elution liquid to store the elution liquid in the first reservoir under pressure resulting from the injecting, an outlet of the first reservoir being blocked by a first meltable compound;
heating the first reservoir containing the elution liquid to a first temperature value to melt the first meltable compound;
conveying, via the pressure of the first reservoir, the elution liquid through an elution fluidic circuit to the collecting surface;
conveying the elution liquid along with the precipitated particles through the elution fluidic circuit to a reaction chamber of an analysis module;
heating the reaction chamber to a second temperature value higher than the first temperature value, so as to activate a detection reaction in said reaction chamber;
isolating said reaction chamber during the detection reaction by melting a second meltable compound and sealing said reaction chamber by setting the second meltable compound when the temperature drops to a third temperature value lower than said second temperature value; and
analyzing the airborne particles collected in the reaction chamber.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising controlling the detection reaction by injecting a second elution liquid into at least one control chamber identical to said reaction chamber.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein each elution liquid contains reagents.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detection reaction is a biomolecular-amplification reaction.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein isolating the reaction chamber includes closing via a deformable membrane, a first isolation valve arranged in the elution fluidic circuit.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein sealing the reaction chamber includes releasing the second meltable compound into the elution fluidic circuit.
7 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein sealing the reaction chamber includes releasing the second meltable compound so that the second meltable compound deposits on the deformable membrane of the first isolation valve.