Abstract:
Disclosed is a sample element for use in analyzing a concentration of an analyte in a material sample. The sample element comprises a sample chamber having at least one window, and a supply passage extending from the sample chamber. The supply passage defines a supply axis. The sample element further comprises a vent opening in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The vent opening is offset from the supply axis as the sample element is viewed orthogonal to the window.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for measuring the hematocrit level of blood. The presently preferred embodiment comprises a light emitting device which emits an amount of light into a blood sample. This light travels through the blood sample to two light detecting devices positioned relative to the light emitting device in a predetermined geometry such that light emitted from the light emitting device must travel farther to reach one of the light detecting devices than to reach the other, thereby forming a light path from the light emitting device to one light detecting device which is longer than the path from the light emitting device to the other light detecting device. According to the present invention, the amount of light detected by one of the light detecting devices is regulated so that the amount of light detected is constant. Thereafter, the amount of light detected by the unregulated light detecting device is a linear representation of the hematocrit of the blood in the blood sample. The hematocrit sensor may be used within a plasma separator apparatus wherein the hematocrit measurement regulates the operating parameters of the autotransfusion system to maintain the hematocrit of the blood within a predetermined range.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for verifying that light absorption is caused by a targeted gaseous chemical compound. A first transmittance of light, either generated at, or filtered to, a first wavelength range and a second transmittance of light, either generated at, or filtered to, a second wavelength range are measured by first and second photon detectors. A ratio of the first and second measured transmittance is determined and that ratio is compared to a transmittance ratio associated with a targeted gaseous chemical compound to verify that the light absorption is caused by the targeted gaseous chemical compound.
Abstract:
Absorption-biased NDIR gas sensors can be recalibrated by adjusting a calibration curve obtained from a gamma ratio ("G") that has been normalized by the gamma ratio when no sample gas is present in the sample chamber (*Go"), G being the ratio of a signal channel output ("Vs") of the NDIR gas sensor divided by a reference channel output ("VR") of the NDIR gas sensor. An AB NDIR gas sensor uses an identical spectral narrow band pass filter for wavelength selection for both a signal channel having a signal channel pathlength and a reference channel having a reference channel pathlength and an absorption bias is applied to the signal channel by making the signal channel path length longer than the reference channel pathlength. Recalibration can be achieved by adjusting Go based upon a reversed calibration curve algorithm that uses a concentration of sample gas determined by a master NDIR gas sensor.
Abstract:
The present method is a method of photometric in vitro determination of the content of an analyte in a sample. The sample is located in a measuring chamber device with a measuring chamber, which has a defined radiation path length and has at least one at least partially transparent wall part. The measuring chamber is in optical communication with an optical system adapted for the analyte and comprising a radiation source and a radiation detector. Further, the measuring chamber is adjustable in shape thereby controlling the setting of the radiation path length across the measuring chamber. In a first measuring step a first radiation path length across the measuring chamber is set and radiation at at least one wavelength is transmitted from the radiation source through the measuring chamber and to the radiation detector. Then in a second step the measuring chamber is adjusted in shape thereby setting a second wavelength across the measuring chamber. Radiation at the same wavelength as during the first step is again transmitted from the radiation source through the measuring chamber and to the radiation detector. The analyte content is then determined on the basis of radiation detected in each of the measuring steps.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a counting chamber for a microscope, adjustable in height. The method measures a cell count at two different chamber heights and deduces the concentration of particles without an exact calibration of the absolute height, as the height difference gives a measurement of the "missing" volume and therefore an estimate of the particle concentration.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of a medium (50), based on the transmission/emission of light in a channel (33), in which - a light is conducted through a medium layer defined by a measuring gap (13.1) in a measuring head (12) pushed in from an opening (31) in the wall (30) of the channel (33), - the intensity of the light, or a variable proportional to it is measured through the medium layer, and - the condition of the medium is evaluated, using measuring electronics (15), from the intensity of the change, according to set criteria. The measurement is performed using a sensor (10) with a compact measuring head, in which the measuring electronics (15) are essentially outside the channel (33), and in which the light is conducted to the measuring gap and away from the measuring gap by optical-fibre means (18, 18.1, 18.2). In addition, the invention also relates to a corresponding device (10).
Abstract:
Disclosed is a sample element for use in analyzing a concentration of an analyte in a material sample. The sample element comprises a sample chamber having at least one window, and a supply passage extending from the sample chamber. The supply passage defines a supply axis. The sample element further comprises a vent opening in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The vent opening is offset from the supply axis as the sample element is viewed orthogonal to the window.