Sampling swab

Abstract

A sampling swab useful in trace analyte detection is provided. The sampling swab possesses absorption/adsorption and desorption properties suitable for use trace analyte sample collection. The sampling swab is also capable of withstanding repeated high heat treatment and mechanical stress. A method for producing a sampling swab that is substantially free of impurities and detection interferants is also provided.

1 . A sampling swab comprising a synthetic fiber, wherein the swab is heated to reduce detection interferants.  
   
   
       2 . The sampling swab of  claim 1 , wherein the synthetic fiber comprises an aromatic polyamide.  
   
   
       3 . The sampling swab of  claim 2 , wherein the aromatic polyamide is selected from the group consisting of Nomex®, Kevlar®, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The sampling swab of  claim 3 , wherein the aromatic polyamide is Nomex®.  
   
   
       5 . The sampling swab of  claim 4 , wherein the Nomex® is a spunlaced fabric selected form the group consisting of 309B, 309A, 320B, 320A, and 326A.  
   
   
       6 . The sampling swab of  claim 5 , wherein Nomex® is 320B.  
   
   
       7 . The sampling swab of  claim 1 , wherein the sampling swab is configured to remain stable and resist decomposition at temperatures greater than or equal to approximately 400° C.  
   
   
       8 . The sampling swab of  claim 1 , wherein the swab is configured to have performance properties suitable to allow the swab to be utilized in a trace detection technique selected from the group consisting of ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The sampling swab of  claim 8 , wherein the trace detection technique comprises ion mobility spectrometry.  
   
   
       10 . The sampling swab of  claim 8 , wherein the swab is configured to collect a sample that allows detection of compounds selected from the group consisting of explosive, narcotic, pharmaceutical process contaminant, biological warfare agent, toxin, and chemical warfare agent.  
   
   
       11 . The sampling swab of  claim 10 , wherein the explosive is selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, ammonal, ammonium nitrate, black powder, 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dinitrobutane, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, ethylene glycol dinitrate, forcite 40, GOMA-2, hexanitrostilbene, 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane, mononitrotoluene, nitroglycerine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, semtex-A, Semtex-H, smokeless powder, trinitro-2,4,6-phenylmethylnitramine tetryl, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, trilita, and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene.  
   
   
       12 . The sampling swab of  claim 10 , wherein the narcotic is selected from the group consisting of 6-acetylmorphine, alprazolam, amobarbital, amphetamine, antipyrine, benzocaine, benzoylecgonine, bromazepam, butalbital, carbetapentane, cathinone, chloradiazepoxide, chlorpheniramine, cocaethylene, cocaine, codeine, diazepam, ecgonine, ecognine methyl ester, ephedrine, fentanyl, flunitrazepam, hashish, heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, ketamine, lidocaine, lorazepam, lysergic acid diethylamide, lysergic acid, N-methyl-1-3(3,4-methylenedioxyohenyl)-2-butanamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, DL-3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, marijuana, mescaline, methadone, methamphetamine, methaqualone, methcathinone, morphine, noscapine, opium, oxazepam, oxycodone, phencyclidine, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, procaine, psilocybin, secobarbital, temazepam, THC, THC-COOH, and triazolam.  
   
   
       13 . The sampling swab of  claim 10 , wherein the chemical warfare agent or toxin is selected from the group consisting of amiton, anthrax, arsine, cyanogen chloride, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, diphosgene, PFIB, phosgene, phosgene oxime, chloropicrin, ethyl N,N-dimethyl phosphoramicocyanidate, isopropyl methyl phosphonofluoridate, pinacolyl methyl phosphonefluoridate, phosphonofluoridic acid, ethyl-, isopropyl ester, phosphonothioic acid, ethyl-, S-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl) O-ethyl ester, phosphonothioic acid, methyl-, S-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl) O-ethyl ester, distilled mustard, ethyldichloroarsine, lewisite 1, lewisite 2, lewisite 3, methyldichloroarsine, mustard-lewisite mixture, mustard-T mixture, nitrogen mustard 1, nitrogen mustard 2, nitrogen mustard 3, phenyldichloroarsine, phosgene oxime, sesqui mustard, adamsite, aflatoxin, botulinus toxin, ricin, saxitoxin, trichothecene mycotoxin, methylphosphonothioic acid S-(2-(bis(1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl) O-ethyl ester, cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate.  
   
   
       14 . A method of processing a synthetic fabric comprising heating the fabric at an oven temperature of between 120° C. to 400° C. for a time of between 1 to 60 minutes.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is heated to at an oven temperature of at least 120° C., at least 130° C., at least 140° C., at least 150° C., at least 160° C., at least 180° C., at least 200° C., at least 250° C., at least 300° C., and at least 350° C.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is heated at an oven temperature of approximately 250° C.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of heating the fabric is performed for a length of time selected from the group consisting of at least 1 minute, at least 2, minutes, at least 4 minutes, at least 6 minutes, at least 8 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 15 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 25 minutes, at least 30 minutes, and at least 60 minutes.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of heating the fabric is performed for approximately 15 minutes.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is heated in a forced-air oven.  
   
   
       20 . A sampling swab produced by steps comprising heating a fabric to a temperature between approximately 200° C. to approximately 250° C. for a time of between approximately 5 to approximately 15 minutes.