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 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: 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: 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.

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: A photoluminescent oxygen probe comprising 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 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 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 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 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 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: An oxygen-sensitive luminescent element, and probe constructed therefrom, having reduced cross-sensitivity to humidity, and methods of manufacturing and using such luminescent elements and probes to measure oxygen concentrations within an enclosed space. The luminescent element includes a glass fiber carrier substrate bearing an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye. The dye is preferably embedded within an oxygen-permeable hydrophobic polymer matrix. A probe is constructed from the luminescent element by laminating the luminescent element onto a structural support layer.

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.