Method of collecting gas-borne viable matter

Abstract

A method of collecting viable matter included in a gaseous atmosphere includes directing a flow of gas toward a suspension medium. The suspension material is configured to maintain viable matter in a living state. The method also includes capturing viable matter carried in the gas in the suspension material and removing the viable matter from the suspension material.

1 . A method of collecting viable matter included in a gaseous atmosphere, the method comprising: 
 directing a flow of gas toward a suspension medium, the suspension material configured to maintain viable matter in a living state;    capturing viable matter carried in the gas in the suspension material; and    removing the viable matter from the suspension material.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the viable matter from the suspension material comprises adding at least a portion of the suspension material to a liquid.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid is water.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising freezing at least a portion of the liquid after removing the viable matter from the suspension material.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the viable matter from the suspension material comprises shaking the suspension material.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a first portion of the viable matter to a first growth medium and providing a second portion of the viable matter to a second growth medium different from the first growth medium.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing nutrients to the viable matter after the step of removing the viable matter from the suspension material.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of providing nutrients to the viable matter comprises placing the viable matter in an agar medium.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the suspension material includes a humectant, an anti-bacterial agent, and a hydrocolloid material.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension material does not include an amount of nutrients sufficient to allow development of the viable matter.  
   
   
       11 . A method of collecting gas-borne viable matter comprising: 
 providing a collection device comprising a plate having a substance provided thereon, the substance configured to maintain viable matter in a living state without promoting growth of the viable matter;    directing a flow of gas into the collection device and toward the substance such that viable matter carried in the gas is captured in the substance; and    removing the viable matter from the substance.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising sealing the collection device after collection of viable matter is complete.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of removing the viable matter is performed after a period of between 1 and 14 days after the viable matter has been captured in the substance.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of removing the viable matter comprises adding at least a portion of the substance to a liquid.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the liquid is water.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of removing the viable matter comprises introducing a liquid into the collection device.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising freezing at least a portion of the liquid after removing the viable matter from the substance.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein removing the viable matter comprises shaking the collection device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the substance includes a humectant, an anti-bacterial agent, and a hydrocolloid material.  
   
   
       20 . A method of collecting airborne viable matter comprising: 
 providing a collection device having an inlet, an outlet, and a plate having a suspension medium provided thereon for capturing gas-borne viable matter, the suspension medium configured to maintain viable matter in a living state without promoting growth; and    directing a flow of air toward the plate to capture viable matter in the suspension medium.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising removing the viable matter from the suspension material.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of removing the viable matter from the suspension medium comprises utilizes a liquid.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising freezing at least a portion of the liquid after removing the viable matter from the suspension medium.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein removing the viable matter from the suspension medium comprises shaking the collection device.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising sealing the collection device after collection of viable matter is complete.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a first portion of the viable matter to a first growth medium and providing a second portion of the viable matter to a second growth medium different from the first growth medium.