Abstract: A method for measuring the transmission rate of an analyte through a film. The method includes the steps of (i) separating a chamber into a first cell and a second cell with a known area of a film, (ii) flushing the first cell with an inert gas to remove any target analyte from the first cell, (iii) introducing a gas containing a known concentration of an analyte into the second cell, (iv) sealing the first cell to gas flow through the first cell, and (v) sensing any analyte in the first cell with a sensor that consumes the analyte at a rate greater than the rate at which the analyte is passing through the film, until a steady state rate of analyte consumption is measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A photoluminescent oxygen probe including a tack with a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent element on the underside of the head. The probe is effective for sensing oxygen concentration within an enclosed space by puncturing the container defining the enclosed space the with the probe's shank and adhering the underside of the probe's head to the container so as to sealingly surround the puncture, thereby placing the oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye on the underside of the probe's head into sensible communication with the enclosed space through the puncture hole.

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.

Abstract: An instrument and method 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.

Abstract: A calibration card 10 and method of using the card 10 to calibrate an optical sensor. The card 10 comprises (i) a first mass of an oxygen sensitive fluorophore 41 configured and arranged for limiting exposure of the first mass of oxygen sensitive fluorophore 41 to near zero % oxygen, and (ii) a second mass of an oxygen sensitive fluorophore 42 configured and arranged for exposing the second mass of fluorophore 42 to an environmental concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a zirconium oxide sensor employing a reference gas having a known mole fraction of oxygen and a monitored gas having a known mole fraction of oxygen, characterized by use of a reference gas and a monitored gas having the same mole fraction of oxygen but different partial pressures of oxygen. This allows a single gas source, such as air, to be used for both the reference gas and the monitored gas across a range of oxygen concentration readings.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a luminescence lifetime sensing instrument 20 and of interrogating a target-analyte long-decay luminescence probe 120 includes measuring and reporting luminescence lifetime of the probe 120 employing excitation radiation filtered to remove emission radiation, or a starting time tstart delayed by a predetermined decay delay time, or delayed by a predetermined growth delay time, or an ending time comprising the time at which luminescence intensity has decayed or risen a predetermined percentage.

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 calibration device and method of using the device to calibrate an analytical instrument capable of reading a photoluminescent oxygen probe. The device includes at least (a) a first mass of an oxygen sensitive photoluminescent dye retained within a hermetically sealed space so as to isolate the dye from environmental oxygen, and in fluid communication with an activated metal-air battery whereby any oxygen permeating into the hermetically sealed space is quickly consumed by the battery, and (b) a second mass of an oxygen sensitive photoluminescent dye in fluid communication with an environmental concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: An analytical instrument and associated method for ascertaining gas transmission rates of a target-analyte through a capped mouth of a bottle. The instrument employs a unique fixture that includes (1) a selectively openable and closeable enclosure defining a chamber, and (2) a mounting post extending into the chamber. The post is configured and arranged to sealingly engage an inner surface of a capped bottle neck, wherein mounting of a capped bottle neck onto the post sealingly separates the chamber into a first compartment inside the mounted capped bottle neck and a second compartment outside the mounted capped bottle neck. The fixture is configured and arranged with passageways for introducing a pressurized target-analyte-containing fluid into the first compartment of the chamber and flushing the second compartment of the chamber with a target-analyte-free fluid.

Abstract: A calibration card and method of using the card to calibrate an analytical instrument capable of reading a photoluminescent oxygen probe. The card includes at least (a) a first mass of an oxygen sensitive photoluminescent dye retained within a hermetically sealed space so as to isolate the dye from environmental oxygen, and in fluid communication with an activated metal-air battery whereby any oxygen permeating into the hermetically sealed space is quickly consumed by the battery, and (b) a second mass of an oxygen sensitive photoluminescent dye in fluid communication with the environment whereby the second mass of photoluminescent dye is exposed to an environmental concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: A sheet of sensors and a method of manufacturing such sheet of sensors. The sheet is configured with (A) a tessellated zipper pattern of identically shaped elements defining (i) a right longitudinal column consisting of a base portion of a right set of elements, (ii) a left longitudinal column consisting of a base portion of a left set of elements, and (iii) an intermediate longitudinal column consisting of alternating tab portions of the right and left elements, and (B) a continuous longitudinal strip of functional material positioned only within the intermediate column.

Abstract: A calibration tool for use in combination with a photoluminescent oxygen-sensitive working probe and an analytical instrument capable of reading the working probe. The calibration tool is effective for achieving two-point calibration of the analytical instrument, and includes at least first and second solid state compositions having different sensitivities to oxygen. The first composition is an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye that is the same as that in the working probe, embedded within an oxygen-permeable carrier matrix that is the same as that in the working probe. The second composition is an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye that is the same as that in the first composition, embedded within a carrier matrix that is different from that in the first composition. The oxygen sensitivity of the second composition is less than the oxygen sensitivity of the first composition.

Abstract: A valve system that includes (i) first and second longitudinally facing members defining a gap therebetween in fluid communication with transversely offset first and second orifices through the members, (ii) a primary biasing means longitudinally biasing the members away from one another, (iii) an elastic element positioned within the gap between the first and second orifices, and (iv) a repositioning means for longitudinally repositioning one of the members towards the other member against the bias of the primary biasing means for adjusting the longitudinal height of the gap. The members can be repositioned between (a) a first position wherein the elastic element does not seal the gap so as to allow fluid flow from the first orifice to the second orifice through the gap, and (b) a second position wherein the elastic element is compressed between the members and seals the gap so as to prevent fluid flow from the first orifice to the second orifice through the gap.

Abstract: A calibration card 10 and method of using the card 10 to calibrate an optical sensor. The card 10 comprises (i) a first mass of an oxygen sensitive fluorophore 41 configured and arranged for limiting exposure of the first mass of oxygen sensitive fluorophore 41 to near zero % oxygen, and (ii) a second mass of an oxygen sensitive fluorophore 42 configured and arranged for exposing the second mass of fluorophore 42 to an environmental concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: A humidity control system for an analyte permeation testing instrument. The system includes (i) an analyte permeation testing instrument, (ii) a sensor for sensing a target analyte, (iii) a humidity control chamber, and (iv) a selectively permeable membrane permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the target analyte. The analyte permeation testing instrument defines a testing chamber operable for engaging a test film such that the testing chamber is sealingly separated by the test film into a first cell and a second cell throughout a permeation testing period. The sensor is placed in fluid communication with the first cell. The humidity control chamber is positioned adjacent the first cell and in fluid communication with both a source of gas having a known humidity and the first cell, with the selectively permeable membrane sealingly separating the humidity control chamber from the first cell.

Abstract: An instrument for impermanent sealed perforation of thin-walled, hermetically sealed packaging. The instrument includes a longitudinally tapered needle and a septum with a hole. The underside of the septum is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The hole through the septum is configured and arranged to permit unrestricted passage of the distal longitudinal end portion of the needle through the hole, while sealingly engaging the longitudinal midsection of the needle. The septum is incapable of sealing the hole through the septum after withdrawal of the needle from the hole.

Abstract: An instrument for impermanent sealed perforation of thin-walled, hermetically sealed packaging. The instrument includes a longitudinally tapered needle and a septum with a hole. The underside of the septum is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The hole through the septum is configured and arranged to permit unrestricted passage of the distal longitudinal end portion of the needle through the hole, while sealingly engaging the longitudinal midsection of the needle. The septum is incapable of sealing the hole through the septum after withdrawal of the needle from the hole.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a destination point with a gas having a selectable known humidity. A gas having an initial relative humidity is alternately directed in accordance with a duty cycle along a wet path effective for humidifying the gas to provide a wet gas, and a dry path effective for either maintaining the initial relative humidity of the gas or dehumidifying the gas to provide a dry gas. The wet and dry gas is blended to produce a blended gas having a selected relative humidity based upon the selected duty cycle.

Abstract: An instrument for accurately measuring mass flow rate of a fluid pumped from a hermetically sealed container, through attainment of a steady state mass flow rate, having a check valve positioned between a vacuum pump and a mass flow rate sensor.