Abstract: A sensor may include a sensing element retained within a storage compartment filled with a storage medium, which may also be used as a calibration medium. The sensing element can include a sensing surface located away from the distal end of the sensing element, such that an inactive section of the sensing element can cooperate with a sealing member such as an O-ring to form part of the seal retaining the storage/calibration medium. The sensing element can be extended and retracted from the storage compartment to expose the sensing surface to a process medium, while preserving the storage medium within the storage compartment for post-measurement validation.

Abstract: A sensor may include a sensing element retained within a storage compartment filled with a storage medium, which may also be used as a calibration medium. The sensing element can be moved from a first position in which the sensing element is exposed to the storage compartment, and a second position in which the sensing element can be exposed to a process medium. An actuator mechanism may be configured to engage a portion of the sensor to move the sensing element between the first position and the second position. The actuator mechanism may be controlled by an external system, and may include a rotary actuator such as a servomotor or a stepper motor to move the sensing element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing measurement artifacts of sensor measurements are disclosed herein. An aspect of the invention includes a measurement device configured to reduce measurement inaccuracies in a sample. The measurement device comprises a measurement probe comprising a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the sample and generate a measurement signal based thereon. The measurement device further comprises a memory configured to store instructions for applying a filter to the measurement signal. The measurement device also further comprises a filtering module configured to process the instructions for applying the filter to the measurement signal to generate a filtered output with reduced measurement inaccuracies.

Abstract: A bioreactor assembly component can include a length of tubing having an integrated pump head along its length, with a portion of the tubing extending between the pump head and a container, such as a single-use bioreactor. The integrated pump head can be configured to engage with an external driving component to control the operation of the integrated pump head without breaching the sterility of the integrated pump head. The integrated pump head can include only components which can be gamma sterilized, allowing the bioreactor assembly component to be sterilized and stored before use. The bioreactor assembly component can be used with a control module including a pump driver configured to engage with and control the operation of the integrated pump driver, and can include components which can monitor and control the operation of a bioprocess within a single-use bioreactor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing measurement artifacts of sensor measurements are disclosed herein. An aspect of the invention includes a measurement device configured to reduce measurement inaccuracies in a sample. The measurement device comprises a measurement probe comprising a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the sample and generate a measurement signal based thereon. The measurement device further comprises a memory configured to store instructions for applying a filter to the measurement signal. The measurement device also further comprises a filtering module configured to process the instructions for applying the filter to the measurement signal to generate a filtered output with reduced measurement inaccuracies.

Abstract: Smart measurement probes may provide information regarding calibration data. However, an electronic instrument connected to such a smart measurement probe may be unable to fully utilize the capacities of the smart measurement probe. A measurement probe may be configured to provide information regarding calibration data to an instrument, but may not be able to take into account calibration settings of that instrument if that instrument lacks the capability to communicate that information to the smart measurement probe. To address such issues, an interface device may be connected between the smart measurement probe and the instrument, with the ability to generate simulated sensor outputs. A transmitter interrogation process utilizing these simulated sensor outputs may be used to determine the transmitter settings and provide an emulated sensor output emulating a previous sensor-transmitter pairing.

Abstract: A sensor may include a sensing element retained within a storage compartment filled with a storage medium, which may also be used as a calibration medium. The sensing element can include a sensing surface located away from the distal end of the sensing element, such that an inactive section of the sensing element can cooperate with a sealing member such as an O-ring to form part of the seal retaining the storage/calibration medium. The sensing element can be extended and retracted from the storage compartment to expose the sensing surface to a process medium, while preserving the storage medium within the storage compartment for post-measurement validation.

Abstract: A gas-permeable well for use with a bioreactor may include a reinforced gas-permeable membrane. The gas-permeable membrane may include an integrated reinforcing structure such as a stainless steel mesh or perforated screen, and may include an integrated gasket or O-ring, or other regions of increased thickness. A sensor brought into close proximity to the reinforced gas-permeable membrane may take an indirect measurement of a condition of process medium on the other side of the gas-permeable membrane, such as a measurement of dissolved oxygen or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Smart measurement probes may provide information regarding calibration data. However, an electronic instrument connected to such a smart measurement probe may be unable to fully utilize the capacities of the smart measurement probe. A measurement probe may be configured to provide information regarding calibration data to an instrument, but may not be able to take into account calibration settings of that instrument if that instrument lacks the capability to communicate that information to the smart measurement probe. To address such issues, an interface device may be connected between the smart measurement probe and the instrument, with the ability to generate simulated sensor outputs. A transmitter interrogation process utilizing these simulated sensor outputs may be used to determine the transmitter settings and provide an emulated sensor output emulating a previous sensor-transmitter pairing.

Abstract: A system comprising a measurement device and a handheld device is disclosed, the system adapted to withstand, detect, record, and display heat cycle event counts. The measurement device comprises a sensor for measuring and a heat cycle detection unit. The heat cycle detection unit comprises a temperature or pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. The handheld device comprises a screen, a button, a communication circuit, and a processing system. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with the measurement device and a computing device and the processing system is configured to receive non-measurement information from the measurement device, display the received information on the screen, and cycle the received information displayed on the screen based on an actuation of the button, wherein the handheld device is used to display a heat sterilization cycle count of the measurement device.

Abstract: A flowing junction reference electrode comprising a liquid junction member matched with a filter. The junction member and the filter are situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. An array of nanochannels spans the junction member and provides fluid communication between the electrolyte solution and the sample solution. The filter is configured to allow a greater flux of electrolyte than that associated with the junction member. Preferably, the number of pores is greater than the number of nanochannels. The filter is preferably configured to have pores with an inner diameter that is the same or less than the inner diameter of the nanochannels. In some embodiment, the resistance of the filter is made lower relative to the resistance of the junction member by selecting suitable length, number, and inner diameter size for the pores of the filter relative to the nanochannels of the junction member.

Abstract: A system comprising a measurement device and a handheld device is disclosed, the system adapted to withstand, detect, record, and display heat cycle event counts. The measurement device comprises a sensor for measuring and a heat cycle detection unit. The heat cycle detection unit comprises a temperature or pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. The handheld device comprises a screen, a button, a communication circuit, and a processing system. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with the measurement device and a computing device and the processing system is configured to receive non-measurement information from the measurement device, display the received information on the screen, and cycle the received information displayed on the screen based on an actuation of the button, wherein the handheld device is used to display a heat sterilization cycle count of the measurement device.

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a measurement device and a handheld device is disclosed, the system adapted to withstand, detect, record, and display heat cycle event counts. The measurement device comprises a sensor for measuring and a heat cycle detection unit. The heat cycle detection unit comprises a temperature or pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. The handheld device comprises a screen, a button, a communication circuit, and a processing system. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with the measurement device and a computing device and the processing system is configured to receive non-measurement information from the measurement device, display the received information on the screen, and cycle the received information displayed on the screen based on an actuation of the button, wherein the handheld device is used to display a heat sterilization cycle count of the measurement device.

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a measurement device and a handheld device is disclosed, the system adapted to withstand, detect, record, and display heat cycle event counts. The measurement device comprises a sensor for measuring and a heat cycle detection unit. The heat cycle detection unit comprises a temperature or pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. The handheld device comprises a screen, a button, a communication circuit, and a processing system. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with the measurement device and a computing device and the processing system is configured to receive non-measurement information from the measurement device, display the received information on the screen, and cycle the received information displayed on the screen based on an actuation of the button, wherein the handheld device is used to display a heat sterilization cycle count of the measurement device.

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flowing junction reference electrode comprising a liquid junction member matched with a filter. The junction member and the filter are situated between a reference electrolyte solution and a sample solution. An array of nanochannels spans the junction member and provides fluid communication between the electrolyte solution and the sample solution. The filter is configured to allow a greater flux of electrolyte than that associated with the junction member. Preferably, the number of pores is greater than the number of nanochannels. The filter is preferably configured to have pores with an inner diameter that is the same or less than the inner diameter of the nanochannels. In some embodiment, the resistance of the filter is made lower relative to the resistance of the junction member by selecting suitable length, number, and inner diameter size for the pores of the filter relative to the nanochannels of the junction member.