Abstract: An indirect calorimeter is disclosed which comprises a test body (18) and a computation unit (24). In use, oxygen consumption in a respirator gas flow is determined by measuring inhaled and exhaled flow rates, and exhaled flow density, such that oxygen consumption is computed as a function of the exhaled mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfabricated sensor and a method capable of rapid simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in a fluid sample. The sensor is inexpensive, disposable and portable, and requires only microliters of sample, a particular advantage with precious fluids such as blood. The sensor utilizes diffusion between layered laminar streams rather than side by side streams. This allows multiple side by side channels for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. In the sensor, a sample stream and a carrier stream flow in layers, one on top of the other, and one or more reagents are introduced to the bottom of the carrier stream through either a fluid or a solid reagent inlet. The reagent contains reagent particles which, in the presence of the analyte, have a detectable change in a property. The analyte diffuses into the carrier stream where it interacts with reagent particles and is detected by optical, electrochemical or other devices.

Abstract: A detection device for three-dimensional tissue oxygen measurement in animals and humans comprising an array of fiber optics effective for transmitting emitted phosphorescent light, and further comprising an array of phosphorescent detectors and an excitation light emitter, forming a matrix and effective for sequential introduction of pulses of excitation light from a plurality of sites in said matrix.

Abstract: A method and a device for optically ascertaining the mutual binding of a first and a second reactant are described. Use is made of the fact that a dipolar layer (7) having a non-linear optical behavior is formed upon a reaction between the two reactants. The formation of such a layer is ascertained by illuminating the substance with radiation (8) having one or two frequencies, and by detecting whether radiation (10) from the substance contains a component at a frequency which is twice the frequency, or a mixed term of the frequency of the radiation incident on the substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use in fluorometry, a method of fluorometry and the use of a class of new reagents in fluorometry. The composition comprises a substrate which is a non-fluorescent derivative of a fluorophore, and a shifting reagent which shifts the absorbance wavelength maximum of the fluorophore which maximum is naturally above 450 nm. The shifting reagent is present in an amount predetermined to shift the maximum to a preset value.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for formulation mixing and measurement to produce rank orders of solubility of chemicals in a variety of formulations. One such method includes mixing a volume of a stock solution having a known concentration of a chemical with a volume of a base liquid to form a control sample. Another volume of the stock solution is mixed with a volume of a formulation to form a test sample. The control sample is passed through a capillary electrochromatography (CEC) tube to separate the chemical from the base liquid, and the test sample is passed through a CEC tube to separate the chemical from the formulation. The method includes measuring the amount of chemical passing through the CEC tubes for both the control sample and the test sample, and comparing the measured amount of chemical from the control sample with the measured amount of chemical from the test sample to determine the solubility of the chemical in the formulation relative to the base liquid.

Abstract: A biochip detection system detects and locates samples that are labeled with multiple fluorescent tags and are located on a biochip. This biochip detection system includes a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, a broad spectrum light source, a lens, a light source filter, and a sensor filter. The CCD sensor comprises two dimensional CCD arrays to simultaneously detect light waves from at least a substantial portion of the biochip. The broad spectrum light source is optically coupled to the CCD sensor and is configured to be utilized with a variety of different fluorescent tags which have differing excitation wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying infrared radiation to a respiratory gas and detects a signal associated with the quantity of transmitted radiation for measuring the concentration of CO2 in the respiratory gas. The capnometer detects a maximum value of the detection signal from the thermal detector during the present inspiration phase, stores the detected maximum value in RAM, performs the first approximation, Kalman filtering or some other suitable method to compute a corrected value that is valid for the time being until a maximum value is detected in the next inspiration phase, and determines a density signal by calculating the difference between the corrected value and the detection signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay apparatus for that includes a temperature adjusting device for simultaneously heating a plurality of samples, and a receiving device for receiving spectral emission from the samples while the samples are being heated. In further aspects of the invention, the receiving device can be configured to receive fluorescent emission, ultraviolet light, and visible light. The receiving device can be configured to receive spectral emission from the samples in a variety of ways, e.g., one sample at a time, simultaneously from more than one sample, or simultaneously from all of the samples. The temperature adjusting device can be configured with a temperature controller for changing temperature in accordance with a pre-determined profile.

Abstract: A synthesis member preferably comprises two elements: a crown and a stem. The stem includes a tag, such as a transponder, that is used to identify the synthesis member and/or the synthetic history of the synthesis member when used in the automated synthesis of compound libraries containing large numbers (e.g. 1000 or more) compounds. The crown provides the location at which compounds are synthesized. The combination of a crown for use with compound synthesis and stem allows the tracking of individual synthesis members from a library containing thousands of such synthesis members. Because each synthesis member is individually tracked and can be logged into a database and/or process flow control system, the synthesis of several thousand individual compounds in conventional containers, such as round bottom flasks is made possible using only traditional compound synthesis approaches.

Abstract: Provided is an optical sensor including a support and a detection layer, wherein the detection layer includes: (a) a luminescent material wherein the luminescence intensity of the luminescent material varies as the amount of an analyte varies; (b) a reflective material having a highly efficient reflectance of the wavelengths of excitation and of emission of the luminescent material; and (c) a polymeric binder to support and hold together the luminescent material and the reflective material. Such an optical sensor can be advantageously used in the detection of gaseous, ionic, and nonionic analytes in highly scattering samples. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of such optical sensors.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods for determining an instantaneous rate of pollutant formation in a combustion system are based on measurement of chemiluminescence intensity generated simultaneously with the formation of the pollutant. The chemiluminescent signal is generated by an analog reaction which occurs in parallel with a key step in the formation of a specific pollutant of interest. The connection between the analog reaction and the pollution reaction is such that the chemiluminescent signal indicates the local, instantaneous formation rate of the pollutant of interest.

Abstract: Energetic materials, particularly explosives materials, are detected in samples by heating a mixture of a sample under a reduced pressure of not more than 100 mbar and detecting the chemiluminescent emission therefrom with a suitable light detector, for example a photomultiplier or photodiode. The sample is heated to a temperature in the region of from 300° C. to 500° C., conveniently in a quartz tube furnace placed within a vacuum chamber. The inlet to the tube furnace may be connected directly into the outlet from a gas chromatography apparatus such that individual compounds from a mixture may be detected as they pas sequentially through the chromatography apparatus and into the tube furnace. An inert carrier gas may be used such as nitrogen, argon or helium or a specific gas to enhance the responsiveness of the method for a particular sample material. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealed high-density on-line measuring device for spectrophotometer whose cuvette holder is linked to a reactor, which comprises a base; a fixed plate for light passage, which is vertically placed on the base; a moving plate for light radiation, which is vertically placed on the base at an opposite side to the fixed plate so that it can slide on the base horizontally; inlet and outlet for sample passage, each of which is positioned at outer side of the moving plate; a metal ring linking the fixed plate and the moving plate; and, upper and lower shielders each of whose ends is in contact with the fixed plate and moving plate, respectively, to give a sealed space. In accordance with the scaled on-line measuring device of the invention, high concentrations of samples in solutions can be measured without dilution, by way of employing a newly designed cuvette holder in a spectrophotometer fitted to a reactor.

Abstract: Highly efficient, low cost, methods and compounds to determine product authenticity, tampering, manufacturing compliance are provided. The methods and chemicals defined are capable of measuring the relative amounts of key materials in these products. The compounds are light emitting and interact with key elements in products like, neutral spirits, vodka, tequila, soft drinks and infant formulas. After the interactions are complete, methods are employed to determine resulting key components by light emission.

Abstract: An electrospray apparatus uses a microchannel formed in a microchip. Fluid is pumped through the channel to an outlet orifice using either hydraulic or electrokinetic means. An electrospray is generated by establishing a sufficient potential difference between the fluid at the outlet orifice and a target electrode spaced from the outlet orifice. Electrokinetic pumping is also utilized to provide additional benefits to microchip devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the content of total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total carbon and total heteroorganic carbon in water are disclosed. In a preferred comprehensive embodiment, the water sample is split into a first stream and a second stream. Inorganic carbon in the first stream, if any, is determined by acidifying the sample, measuring the electrical conductivity using a temperature and conductivity sensor, and removing the ionic species. Organic carbon in the first stream is then substantially completely oxidized in a U.V. oxidation reactor to carbon dioxide and possibly other oxidation products, and the electrical conductivity of the effluent- stream is measured using another temperature and conductivity sensor. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the first stream is transferred through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane into the second strewn. The second stream then passes into another temperature and conductivity sensor and conductivity is measured.

Abstract: A surface detector array device suitable for use with a biosensor is disclosed. The device is formed of a substrate having a surface defining a plurality of distinct bilayer-compatible surface regions separated by one or more bilayer barrier regions. The bilayer-compatible surface regions carry on them, separated by a film of aqueous, supported fluid bilayers. The bilayers may contain selected receptors or biomolecules. A bulk aqueous phase covers the bilayers on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled instrumentation processing of cells and other particles with a filter device measures a parameter of the flow through the filter device of fluid carrying the particles. A measure of the change of the fluid flow through the filter device yields desired information for quantifying the particles and for quantifying the obstruction of the filter device by the particles. The method and apparatus typically operate automatically.

Abstract: A system and method for testing for microbial contamination using a digital flow cytometer comprising an illumination source, a fluorescence detector, a digitizing device, and a digitized signal transferring device.