Abstract:
An apparatus for determining element occupancy on a surface includes a UV beam source comprising at least one UV light-emitting diode whose UV radiation excites the element to fluorescence and a detector unit for the detection of fluorescence radiation. The apparatus, in accordance with the invention, is characterized in that beam guidance is configured by alignment of the UV beam source and the detector unit relative to the surface and/or by using a wavelength-selective beam splitter in the beam path in such a manner that the UV radiation back-reflected from the surface is kept away from the detector unit.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a microelectronic sensor device for making optical examinations in an investigation region (3). An input light beam (L1) is emitted by a light source (20) into said investigation region (3), and an output light beam (L2) coming from the investigation region (3) is detected by a light detector (30) providing a measurement signal (X). An evaluation unit (40) provides a result signal (R) based on a characteristic parameter (e.g. the intensity) of the input light beam (L1) and the output light beam (L2). Preferably, the input light beam (L1) is modulated with a given frequency (ω) and monitored with a sensor unit (22) that provides a monitoring signal (M). The monitoring signal (M) and the measurement signal (X) can then be demodulated with respect to the monitoring signal, and their ratio can be determined. This allows to obtain a result signal (R) that is largely independent of environmental influences and variations in the light source.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting and measuring the concentration of a substance in a solution, the substance having an absorption at 300 nm or less. The methods and apparatus have particular utility in detecting and measuring the concentration of proteins and nucleic acids.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for automatically selecting test types for an analytical meter system based on the insertion into the meter of a test element. The test element can be an analytical element, formed by a test strip with a fluid such as blood applied thereto; a control element, formed by a test strip with control fluid applied thereto; or a standard element, or a standard strip exhibiting known optical properties. By inserting the test element into the analytical meter system, optical properties are measured and the existence of relationships between the measurements are ascertained. Based on the existence or nonexistence of certain relationships, the proper test can be automatically selected by the meter without the need for user interaction. Advantageously, the results of the test can be classified and stored according to test type.
Abstract:
A method of monitoring gas in a downhole environment is discussed which provides downhole a mid-infrared light emitting diode, operates the diode to transmit respective infrared signals on a first optical path extending from the diode through a downhole gas sample and a second optical path extending from the diode through a reference gas sample, detects the transmitted infrared signals, and determines the concentration of a component of the downhole gas sample from the detected signals.
Abstract:
A produce recognition method which determines an optimal number of candidate identifications in a candidate identification list. The method includes the steps of obtaining produce data associated with a produce item, determining distances between the produce data and reference produce data, determining confidence values from the distances, determining first confidence values which are greater than a threshold confidence value, displaying candidate identifications associated with the first confidence values, and recording an operator choice of one of the candidate identifications.
Abstract:
An optical system having a chamber for receiving an element of body fluid or tissue or environmental sample to be characterized has a light source for illuminating the chamber with light, and a spectrometer for recording a spectrum of light originating from the chamber. The light source has two separate LEDs to emit light having at least two spectral maxima of different wavelength ranges. The light from the light source is directed to the chamber. A method for determining a parameter representing a property of the element with the optical system, wherein, light having at least two spectral maxima of different wavelength ranges generated by separate LEDs is directed onto the element, a spectrum with reflected components of the light, scattered components of the light, and/or light caused by Raman scattering or fluorescence of the element is measured with the spectrometer, and the parameter is determined by evaluating the spectrum.
Abstract:
An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process comprises a sample processing system and an excitation source exhibiting a spectral function of output power or intensity verses wavelength of output power or intensity. The spectral function has a minima wavelength corresponding to a local minima value of the output power or intensity; a first maxima wavelength corresponding to a first local maxima of output power or intensity, the output power or intensity at the first local maxima being greater than the output power or intensity at any wavelength less than the minima wavelength; a second maxima wavelength corresponding to a second local maxima of output power or intensity, the output power or intensity at the second local maxima being greater than the output at any wavelength greater than the minima wavelength; the minima wavelength is between the first maxima wavelength and the second maxima wavelength.
Abstract:
Absorption monitor system comprising a light source and a light detector arranged so as to define an absorption detection light path there between, and a controller arranged to control the operation of the light source, wherein the light source comprises a Light Emitting Diode capable of emitting light in the UV range (UV-LED) and wherein the absorption monitor system does not comprise a reference light-detector and the controller is arranged to compensate for fluctuations in light output intensity from the UV-LED.
Abstract:
An optical filter 4 is placed in an optical path between a light source unit 1 using a deep ultraviolet LED as a light source and a sample cell 2. The optical filter 4 is a shortpass filter that allows passage of light of a main peak located within a deep ultraviolet region while blocking light of an unwanted peak located within a visible region. The temporal change in the amount of light of the unwanted peak is considerably greater than that of the main peak. The optical filter 4 blocks the former light whose amount considerably changes with time. As a result, the influence of the noise and drift originating from the LED on the detection signal obtained in a detector 3 is dramatically reduced, so that the analytical accuracy is improved.