Integrated microbial collector

Abstract

A system for real-time sizing of fluid-borne particles is disclosed. The system further determines, in real time, whether the detected particles are biological or non-biological. As the fluid is being tested, it is exposed to a microbe collection filter which is cultured to determine the type of microbes present in the fluid being tested.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microbial detection and identification system comprising:
 a sampling area including a fluid;   a light source;   a first optical detector;   a second optical detector;   a microbe collection filter in fluid communication with said sampling area;   wherein, said light source illuminates particles in said sampling area,   
       said first detector detects light scattered into a predetermined angular range by particles of a predetermined size, 
       said second detector measures light emitted by fluorescence from illuminated biological particles in said sample area, 
       and, after the fluid has been illuminated by the light source, said fluid is exposed to said microbe collection causing particles in said fluid to adhere to said microbe collection filter.