Teknoscan TSI 3000 Analyser

The TSI 3000 Analyzer is able to detect and identify explosives, narcotics and other controlled compounds. Up to 50 target substances can be detected and measured simultaneously and the library of target compounds can be customised to suit a wide range of applications. The system employs simple intuitive windows based software via a large touch screen panel. Vapour and/or particulate samples are collected on specially coated card and rapidly analysed (1-3 minutes) using thermal desorption followed by gas chromatography and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mobility Spectrometry (APCIMS). Analysis results are stored locally on the analyzer and can exported to an external interface. Pre-concentration or enrichment of the sample is a critical part of the overall TeknoScan System architecture. This involves enrichment of the target components over the entire sample matrix (composition). Further concentration is achieved through venting of contaminants in the desorption and trap components of the system, and finally the remaining sample is stretched out in the gas chromatography stage such that substances are presented for ionization virtually one at a time. This does not allow the complete depletion of the reagent ion concentration or charge reservoir. The TeknoScan TSI analyser removes non-target substances from the sample before it gets to the IMS by going through multiple stages to concentrate and purify the sample. The detection algorithm is 3-Dimensional and therefore provides the ability to detect chemical signature peaks that would otherwise be hidden behind peaks created by non-target substances. All of this adds up to a much lower false alarm rate. The TeknoScan system is designed to operate reliably in environments polluted with vehicle exhaust, jet fuel and other contaminants while other types of IMS detection systems are more at home in a less chemically “noisy” environment. 

 

The TeknoScan sampling system is designed to be robust and flexible with samples acquired by either swabbing or aspiration. The sample cards themselves are constructed from steel and are treated with a patent-pending chemical coating which traps molecules from vapour or particles present in the air. Samples are taken from any enclosed or semi-enclosed space, such as a vehicle or various types of cargo containers by using a probe or flange attached to a vacuum system which draws air from the container through the TeknoScan sample card. The system is designed for accurate detection of large quantities of contraband substances likely to be smuggled in large enclosures. The TeknoScan system can also accept swabs but no special swab material is necessary. A plain cotton glove can be used to acquire samples from large surface areas (as in a hotel room) or from awkward shapes. The sample is merely transferred from the glove to the sample card and analyzed as normal. The high heat used in the desorption process burns off debris from the environment and contributes to keeping the sample path clean, therefore reducing maintenance costs.

The TeknoScan system is software upgradable, customizable and modifiable remotely. It operates in both + and – modes and so can detect both explosives and drugs (up to 50 different substances) simultaneously. The analyzer includes a standard embedded PC platform that can be networked via wireless or standard Ethernet. Target substances in each analyzer’s library can be added, removed or changed remotely. As new threat substances or new drugs are identified, they can be added to the library immediately and testing can begin even without direct operator knowledge of the changes. Ongoing improvements to the UI software and detection algorithms can be uploaded to field instruments at regular intervals. Chemical signatures of explosives or drugs can be viewed in detail remotely by experts, providing clues as to the origin and manufacture of the detected substances.

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