초록

A device and method for drug detection with instantaneous results by utilizing a handheld spectroscopic analysis device in an oral, nasal, and upper respiratory examination process.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A portable device for instantaneous drug testing for a wide spectrum of drugs that does not require taking an invasive sample of breath or saliva from a test subject having a mouth and nose region, the device comprising: a flexible, form-fitting, opaque mask, adapted to fit snuggly over the mouth

1. A portable device for instantaneous drug testing for a wide spectrum of drugs that does not require taking an invasive sample of breath or saliva from a test subject having a mouth and nose region, the device comprising: a flexible, form-fitting, opaque mask, adapted to fit snuggly over the mouth and nose region of a test subject who is suspected of drug use;a tube that is connected, at a first end, to the mask with a universal locking fastener, wherein the connection may be optionally reinforced with a locking ring;a swiveling sphere positioned inside the mask and bearing a detector head, wherein the detector head comprises a high definition camera, a source of light for illuminating a target surface within the mouth or nose of the test subject, a plurality of spectroscopic Raman fiber optic heads, and one or more fluorescence blossom detector heads;a spectrometer connected to a second end of the tube, said spectrometer comprising an internal computer, a CCD, an excitation laser, one or more mirrors, optical filters and a user interface that includes receivers for receiving input from a user, and a display for displaying to a user real-time images from the high definition camera and test results from the computer; anda plurality of fiber optic strands extending from the Raman fiber optic heads and fluorescence blossom detector heads, through said tube, into said spectrometer, where each strand is directed toward said CCD. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fiber optic strands include one or more light-emitting fiber optic cables to emit the source light. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the spectrometer includes an ultraviolet, infrared, Raman, or fluorescence spectrometer, or a combination thereof. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen interface. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the computer is hardwired or wirelessly connected to other exterior devices or computer systems, such that data may be transferred from one device to another. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the light-emitting fiber optic lasers on the sphere include optical lenses, in order to focus, disperse or collimate the laser light beam toward the target surface of the mouth or nasal passages. 7. A method for instantaneous testing in the field for a wide spectrum of drugs that does not require taking an invasive sample of breath or saliva, the method comprising the steps of: providing a test subject under suspicion of drug usage or an employee contractually subject to random drug screenings or any other field drug examination of a test subject;instructing the test subject to open his/her mouth, exposing the test subject's teeth, nasal passages, palate, tongue, back of throat and gums;providing a portable device for instantaneous drug testing for a wide spectrum of drugs that does not require taking an invasive sample of breath or saliva, the device comprising: a flexible, form-fitting, opaque mask, adapted to fit snuggly over the mouth and nose region of a test subject who is suspected of drug use;a tube that is connected, at a first end, to the mask with a universal locking fastener, wherein the connection may be optionally reinforced with a locking ring;a swiveling sphere positioned inside the mask and bearing a detector head, wherein the detector head comprises a high definition camera, a source of light for illuminating a target surface within the mouth or nose of the test subject, a plurality of fiber optic heads, an extraneous light sensor, and one or more fluorescence blossom detector heads;a spectrometer connected to a second end of the tube, said spectrometer comprising an internal computer, a CCD, an excitation laser, one or more mirrors, and a user interface that includes receivers for receiving input from a user, and a display for displaying to a user real-time images from the high definition camera and test results from the computer; anda plurality of fiber optic strands extending from the spectroscopic fiber optic heads and fluorescence blossom detector heads, through said tube, into said spectrometer, where each strand is directed toward said CCD;placing the mask over the mouth and nose of the test subject;adjusting the mask to eliminate extraneous light from entering the mask;activating the extraneous light sensor to test for extraneous light, whereupon if no extraneous light is detected, or if the amount of extraneous light is less than a predetermined amount, a positive result is indicated by the device interface, and the method may proceed, and whereupon if the amount of extraneous light exceeds the predetermined amount, the device interface indicates the lighting conditions are not acceptable to conduct the examination and the laser is deactivated;aligning the laser utilizing the crosshairs in the user interface display;activating the laser;scanning the test subject's teeth, gums, palate, back of throat, nasal passages and in vivo gases, mucus and other biological fluids;collecting light emissions using the detector head;transmitting the collected light emissions to the spectrometer;analyzing, by using the computer, the emissions for indications of the molecular remnants of consumed prescription, narcotic and illegal drugs, and generating test results summarizing any positive indications;photographing one or more of the test subject's teeth, nasal passages, palate, tongue, gums by using high-resolution digital photography, in order to record the proper alignment and accuracy of the method and to assist in identification of the test subject in possible later court proceedings;displaying the test results on the user interface display;storing the test results in the computer; andoptionally transmitting the test results to another electronic device, either wirelessly or via hard-wire connection to the USB port of the spectrometer. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is performed by a law enforcement official. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method is performed during a traffic stop. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the test subject is suspected of illegal drug use. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein all fiber optic lasers fire in a single iteration upon the command of the user, via a touch screen interface of the device. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the fiber optic lasers fire in a continuous, automated scan of the test subject's mouth and nasal passages. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the fiber optic cables are allotted individual regions on the surface of the CCD allowing the computer to determine which fiber grouping received the positive result and cross-referencing this data with the target image at the instant of the positive result. 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is performed for employment drug testing. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible, form-fitting, opaque mask is further adapted to prevent unnecessary or accidental exposure to laser light, and wherein the device further includes an extraneous light sensor within the mask, and a deactivation mechanism to deactivate the laser if extraneous light is sensed within the mask. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an extraoral drug detection device for in vivo examination of the interiors of the test subject's mouth, nose and throat. 17. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of analyzing further includes the step of analyzing, by using the computer, the emissions for indications of the molecular remnants of consumed alcohol. 18. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of analyzing does not include analysis for dental purposes. 19. The method of claim 7, wherein the method does not require contact with the target surface, does not remove a sample, and does not require sample preparation or the use of chemical reagents. 20. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is useful for detection of biological analytes, including drug metabolites.