Designed at Altitude, Inc in Boston, Massachusetts.
AHURA SCIENTIFIC AND RAMAN TECHNOLOGY
Raman technology is a form of vibrational spectroscopy that uses lasers to selectively identify hazmat and other unknown chemicals by illuminating an unknown material sample with single frequency laser light which is absorbed, transmitted, reflected, or scattered by the sample in a way that is specific to that chemical. Safe and simple identification of these potentially hazardous materials is then accomplished by identifying the frequency of scattered light corresponding to the vibrational frequencies of the bonds of the molecules in the sample.
More than a decade ago Ahura Scientific approached Altitude about working together to help them incorporate their Raman technology into a simple and convenient unit. Through this partnership Ahura and Altitude developed a line of hand-held products that would set the bar in the chemical identification industry. Ahura Scientific would later merge with Thermo Fisher to form Thermo Scientific.
UNDERSTANDING A UNIQUE USER
Because of dangerous scenarios involving potentially harmful chemicals many layers of protective equipment are worn by technicians who use the Thermo Scientific hand-held analyzers. This protective gear creates unique ergonomic requirements when designing the product. Additionally, the nature of working with unidentified and potentially hazardous chemicals demands that the product be carefully and thoroughly cleaned after each use. This cleaning requires engineering to account for corrosion, ingress and other potentially harmful factors.
IMPROVING ON SUCCESS
In 2012 Thermo Scientific partnered with Altitude to help them integrate an anvil sampling head into their existing TruDefender FT hand-held analyzers. This anvil sampling head would help provide variable pressure control, shielding from the elements, ease of sampling and ease of decontamination. Thermo Scientific relied on Altitude to provide additional insight surrounding ergonomics, ruggedization, manufacturing, engineering and decontamination throughout the design process.
GETTING RESULTS
The result was the development of the TruDefender FTX hand-held analyzer. This instrument was not only received enthusiastically by users but also helped further entrench Thermo Scientific as the industry leader in Raman-based portable units.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS: Paul Gregory (Engineering), Joseph Morin (Industrial Design)
