Abstract: A photoionization detector comprised of a sensor having at least a collector electrode and a grounding electrode, a gas discharge lamp that ionizes molecules of interest to create ionized molecules and electrons, and an amplifier connected to the collector electrode. Each of the collector electrode and the grounding electrode include a feed-thru pin, an inner trace surrounding the feed-thru pin, an outer trace surrounding the inner trace, wherein the outer trace on each electrode is comprised of the same material, a channel between the inner trace and the outer trace, wherein the channel is comprised of a different material than the outer trace and the inner trace, and a bridge connecting the outer trace with the inner trace. The ionized molecules are collectable by a bias electrode and electrons are collectable by the collector electrode.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp and photoionization sensor employing the gas discharge lamp. The lamp includes a housing containing a working gas sealed within the housing and a primary ultra-violet transparent window through a first longitudinal end of the housing. In a first embodiment the lamp includes an arched band of elastic getter material band with longitudinally extending diametrically opposed legs wedged within the chamber defined by the housing. In a second embodiment the lamp includes a second ultra-violet transparent window within the housing held into positon against the primary ultra-violet transparent window by an arched metal support band within the housing.

Abstract: A target-analyte permeation testing instrument (10) characterized by a sensor feed line (300nBout and 3005) conditioning system.

Abstract: An assembly and method of using the assembly. The assembly is operable when assembled as a benchtop instrument for sealed penetration of an oxygen sensitive luminescent sensor into sensible communication with an enclosed space of a sealed rigid package to measure oxygen concentration therein, and operable when disassembled as a handheld instrument for sealed penetration of the oxygen sensitive luminescent sensor into sensible communication with an enclosed space of a flexible package to measure oxygen concentration therein. The assembly includes a mechanical punch press equipped with a longitudinally reciprocable fixture equipped with a hollow piercing member, and an oxygen analyzer releasably attachable to the fixture.

Abstract: A protocol adaptive, computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument, capable of self-adaptive adjustments to measurement interval, rezero frequency and independent zero go-no-go.

Abstract: A calibration tool and method of using the tool to calibrate a fiber optic needle oxygen sensor. The tool includes at least a vial sealingly covered by a septa and containing a supply of particulate oxygen getter within the chamber of the vial. The vial has an open top and is constructed from an oxygen impermeable material. The septa is resealing, needle-penetrable and oxygen impermeable. The supply of particulate oxygen getter is retained within an oxygen permeable sachet.

Abstract: An optical sensor effective for (i) exciting an analyte-sensitive fluorophore, exposed to an unknown concentration of the analyte for which the fluorophore is sensitive, with radiant energy from an excitation source, (ii) measuring the extent to which luminescence of the excited fluorophore is quenched by presence of the analyte, (iii) ascertaining the concentration of analyte to which the fluorophore is exposed from such measurement, and (iv) reporting the ascertained concentration. The sensor is preferably an epi-fluroescence confocal optical detector, and preferably performs step (ii) by employing a summing amplifier.

Abstract: A target-analyte permeation testing instrument (10) characterized by a block manifold (100) retaining the testing cells (70n) of the instrument (10).

Abstract: A reactor capable of near absolute catalytic conversion of at least one alternative compound containing a specified moiety into a select compound containing the specific moiety, and an analytical instrument employing the reactor. The reactor including a catalytic element configured and arranged for fluid contact with a test fluid and a reactant, with at least 90% of the surface area of the catalytic element located within a thermal target zone in the reaction chamber of the reactor.

Abstract: A target-analyte permeation testing instrument (10) characterized by a sensor feed line (300nBout and 3005) conditioning system.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp, photoionization sensor employing the gas discharge lamp, and method of manufacturing the lamp. The lamp includes a longitudinally extending strip of getter within the housing. The method of manufacture includes the steps of (i) obtaining a glass tube, (ii) constricting the tube intermediate the longitudinal ends to divide the bore into first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another through a passageway in the constriction, (iii) attaching an ultraviolet transparent window over the open end of the first chamber, (iv) inserting a strip of getter into the first chamber through the passageway in the constriction, (v) purging the first chamber with a noble gas, and (vi) heating the tube at the constriction to detach the first chamber from the second chamber and seal the constricted end of the first chamber.

Abstract: A fiber optic analyte sensing needle employing an analyte-partial-pressure-sensitive photoluminescent probe, characterized by (i) a void volume channel extending axially along the length of the lumen between the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the fiber optic filament, and (ii) a total pressure sensor in pressure communication with the distal tip of the needle via the void volume channel, whereby total pressure of a volume sampled by the sensing needle can be routinely measured and used in pressure compensation of analyte-concentration values calculated from the analyte-partial-pressure readings taken from the analyte-partial-pressure-sensitive photoluminescent probe.

Abstract: Measuring oxygen concentration and monitoring changes in oxygen concentration within an enclosed space by applying a transmembrane photoluminescent oxygen probe to the external surface of the membrane forming the enclosed space, wherein the transmembrane photoluminescent oxygen probe has an oxygen impermeable support layer carrying a spot of an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye and a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a first major surface of the support layer.

Abstract: An easily calibrated analytical instrument for sensing a target analyte. The instrument includes an electrochemical sensor and a switch. The electrochemical sensor includes a sensing electrode and a counter electrode. The switch is a normally open switch effective for creating a short circuit between the sensing and counter electrodes when closed. A zero calibration reading can be taken when the switch is closed.

Abstract: A method of contemporaneously monitoring changes in analyte concentration in a plurality of samples using a single monitoring device, wherein monitoring can be commenced and continued on independent timelines for each sample.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target analyte in a gaseous sample at ultra-low concentrations wherein access opening(s) provided through the sensor housing are plugged with endcap(s) and spent gas (i.e., gaseous sample post detection) is channeled along the interface between the sensor housing and the endcap(s) prior to venting of the spent gas, for flushing any environmentally introduced target analyte from this interface.

Abstract: A calibration tool and method of using the tool to calibrate a fiber optic needle oxygen sensor. The tool includes at least a vial sealingly covered by a septa and containing a supply of particulate oxygen getter within the chamber of the vial. The vial has an open top and is constructed from an oxygen impermeable material. The septa is resealing, needle-penetrable and oxygen impermeable. The supply of particulate oxygen getter is retained within an oxygen permeable sachet.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accurately measuring target analyte levels is a gas sample over an extended range. The instrument includes (i) a sensor effective for detecting the analyte, and (ii) a barrier film having limited permeability for the analyte covering the inlet orifice on the sensor for reducing the flux of analyte into the sensor. The method involves (a) sensing the flux of target analyte passing through the barrier film and into sensing contact with the sensor, and (b) reporting a concentration of analyte by multiplying a concentration value previously correlated to the sensed flux by the flux reduction factor of the barrier film.

Abstract: An instrument for ascertaining a viable aerobic microbe count at to employing a two-point calibration curve of tthreshold to TVC for each type of sample. One point on the calibration curve is the x-intercept value (i.e., an estimated or experimental value for the logarithm of the minimum viable aerobic microbe count at commencement of testing (to) in a sample effective for causing the sample to reach tThreshold substantially instantaneously upon commencement of incubation). The other point is ascertained experimentally from a sample having a smaller known viable aerobic microbe count at to.