Abstract: A device for indicating residence time in a liquid disinfection solution, the device comprising a visually observable detector of exposure of the device to the solution, the device being selected such that upon exposure of the device to the solution the detector visibly changes after a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for correcting ambient temperature effect in biosensors. An ambient temperature value is measured. A sample is applied to the biosensors, then a current generated in the test sample is measured. An observed analyte concentration value is calculated from the current through a standard response curve. The observed analyte concentration is then modified utilizing the measured ambient temperature value to thereby increase the accuracy of the analyte determination.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for measuring barrier properties of a barrier coating or coating arrays where each barrier coating has a small cross section. To reduce the edge effects in the measurements of barrier properties, measurements are made using a waveguide structure that includes at least one waveguide coated with a chemically sensitive layer and an array of barrier coatings. The coated waveguide is exposed to a material of interest that has the ability to produce an analyzable variation in the chemically sensitive layer, thereby providing the ability to detect an impact of the material of interest on the barrier coatings. In one variation, an initial light wave is propagated within the waveguide structure, a resulting wave associated with the initial wave and each barrier coating is detected, and any impacts on the coatings by the material of interest are correlated to a value of a barrier property for each of the array of barrier coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a real-time luminescent piezoelectric detector capable of sensing the presence of biological and chemical agents. This detector includes a free-standing thin film that is driven by a frequency drover to produce light emitted from an edge of the thin film. A surface layer sensitive to the biological or chemical agent to be detected is disposed on the surface of the thin film. In the presence of the biological or chemical agent to be detected, the light emitted from the edge of the thin film structure is altered. A processor capable of determining the presence and/or concentration of the biological or chemical agent in question based on the altered emitted light receives an output representative of the emitted light and outputs the status of the presence and/or concentration of the biological or chemical agent in question.

Abstract: A device for analyzing simultaneously multiple analytes in a fluid of unknown composition. The device includes a plurality of sensors, a light source for providing light to shine on the sensors, light detectors, and a processor. The sensors are exposed to a sample of the fluid of unknown composition. The plurality of sensors includes groups of sensors, each group targeting a specific analyte and including one or more sensors that contain an analyte-specific chemical that interacts more specifically with one analyte than with some other analytes to be analyzed. Each sensor in each group has a different chemical interacting with the analyte to target it. The light source shines light on the sensors of the plurality of sensors to cause light interaction with the sensors. The differences in the sensors lead to differences in the light interaction. The light detectors detects the light interaction by the sensors.

Abstract: A biomimetic reagent system is provided containing an oxygen donor and a catalyst based on porphyrin, which are applied to a carrier. A device that contains the system is also provided for determining components of gas or vapor samples, especially aromatics, such as benzene. A process for hydroxylating aromatics, such as benzene, using the biomimetic reagent system is also provided.

Abstract: A single, integrated device in which a body fluid (e.g., blood) of a human or animal can be both collected and analyzed easily and without risk of contamination is disclosed. The collection portion and analysis portion of the device are permanently joined to permit movement of small quantities of body fluid under controlled conditions, to minimize any waste of the body fluid, to ensure that no contamination reaches the main body fluid volume, and to create a permanent physical record of the results of the analysis in association with the fluid sample itself: A wide variety of different body fluid components which may be indicative of various diseases, dysfunctions and abnormalities of the human or animal or the body fluid itself can be tested for.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the lipid peroxidation extent in biological fluids and suspensions of tissues, in which a specifically prepared lipids containing sample is exposed to heat so as to induce thermo-chemiluminescence light which is emitted by the sample and is enhanced to an amount which can be detected by a special purpose photo detector The measurement of the light allows to conclude about the content of peroxides and subsequently to obtain accurate assessment of lipid peroxidation .

Abstract: A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining at least one parameter, e.g., concentration, of at least one analyte, e.g., urea, of a biological sample, e.g., urine. A biological sample particularly suitable for the apparatus and method of this invention is urine. In general, spectroscopic measurements can be used to quantify the concentrations of one or more analytes in a biological sample. In order to obtain concentration values of certain analytes, such as hemoglobin and bilirubin, visible light absorption spectroscopy can be used. In order to obtain concentration values of other analytes, such as urea, creatinine, glucose, ketones, and protein, infrared light absorption spectroscopy can be used. The apparatus and method of this invention utilize one or more mathematical techniques to improve the accuracy of measurement of parameters of analytes in a biological sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid parallel determination of non-volatile analytes in multiple samples is provided. The method utilizes analyte-enhanced fluorescence of a solvatochromic dye, and thus is not dependent on fluorescence of the analyte itself. An evaporation step removes volatile sample components that might otherwise interfere with analyte determination. The method is sensitive to a wide range of analyte concentrations and robust to variations in sample volume.

Abstract: A microbend fiber-optic chemical sensor for detecting chemicals in a sample, and a method for its use, is disclosed. The sensor comprises at least one optical fiber having a microbend section (a section of small undulations in its axis), for transmitting and receiving light. In transmission, light guided through the microbend section scatters out of the fiber core and interacts, either directly or indirectly, with the chemical in the sample, inducing fluorescence radiation. Fluorescence radiation is scattered back into the microbend section and returned to an optical detector for determining characteristics of the fluorescence radiation quantifying the presence of a specific chemical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the luminescence emitted in a luminescent assay, which makes it possible to correct certain perturbations due to the measuring medium.

Abstract: An efficient, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive photolysis system based on a short-arc Hg arc lamp provides a simple and accurate method for measurement of ambient NO2. High time resolution is achieved by minimizing inlet and photolysis cell residence times and matching NO and NO2 sample paths, and data reduction is greatly simplified relative to conventional photolysis designs.

Abstract: A sterilization monitor includes a substrate and an monitor composition. The monitor composition contains a colorant and a halogen source and undergoes a distinct color change when exposed to a peracid. The sterilization monitor can be used to monitor a sterilization process involving a peracid. A sterilization monitoring device, including a sterilization monitor enclosed in a housing having a vapor permeable barrier, can also be used to monitor a sterilization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing liquid flow through small bore tubing (1,2,3) or channels (13) by freezing the liquid or thawing the frozen liquid in a small segment of the tube or channel.

Abstract: A photometer for determining the transmission of a liquid sample in a microcuvette (7, 20, 22) has a cavity for a capillary layer of the liquid sample with a free liquid surface extended transversely of the principal plane of the cavity. The cavity is initially prepared with a reagent to achieve a reaction, which affects the transmission of the liquid sample for indicating its contents of a predetermined substance. The photometer has a holder (6) for the microcuvette and measuring means (9, 10) for measuring the transmission of a bundle of rays directed towards the microcuvette. The cuvette holder (6) is mounted on bearings for vibration in a direction having a component, which extends in the plane of the free liquid surface and is parallel with the principal plane of the cavity, thereby achieving a mixing to accelerate the dissolution and the reaction.

Abstract: A highly sensitive sensor and measuring apparatus are provided by using a sensitive change in the reflection spectrum of metal microparticles present on a metal surface according to a change of dielectric constant in the surrounding area.

Abstract: Optical sensor, probe and array devices for detecting chemical biological, and physical analytes. The devices include an analyte-sensitive layer optically coupled to a thin film electroluminescent layer which activates the analyte-sensitive layer to provide an optical response. The optical response varies depending upon the presence of an analyte and is detected by a photodetector and analyzed to determine the properties of the analyte.

Abstract: A hand-held portable diagnostic assay system for conducting and recording luminescent reactions for generating and recording luminescent read-out signals generated by a testing assembly and recordable on an image recording medium. A carrier assembly receives the testing assembly and is operable between first and second conditions. An assembly prevents unintended insertion of the testing assembly into the carrier assembly when in the first condition, and a mechanism prevents unintended removal of the testing assembly from the carrier assembly when in the second condition.