An apparatus for analyzing optical properties of a sample includes a housing to receive a light source and a detector; a sample locus defined relative to the housing and positioned such that when a light source and a detector are in predetermined positions, the sample locus is subject to illumination by the light source and the detector is positioned to receive and detect light from the sample; a cover on the housing, the cover being movable in a hinged manner between an open position and a closed position; and a sample-receiving surface for receiving a free-standing sample in liquid or semi-solid form. When the cover is moved to the closed position it encloses the sample locus, with the sample-receiving surface being tilted away from the horizontal during the closing movement and the sample being retained thereon by surface tension or adhesion and brought to the sample locus in an enclosed environment.

A method to detect bacteria in a biological sample in order to determine if the biological sample contains tuberculous mycobacteria or non-tuberculous mycobacteria, said tuberculous mycobacteria being detected by analyzing a set of measurements consisting of a plurality of light scattering measurements by means of algorithms making use of neural networks.

A sensor housing apparatus includes a housing having an enclosure and outer assembly, at least one flow path extending through the housing, a gas sensor disposed in the enclosure and a thermal mass. The thermal mass is mounted within the enclosure in thermal communication with the gas sensor, and is configured to transfer thermal energy from the gas sensor to an ambient environment surrounding the housing and minimize temperature gradients adjacent the gas sensor.

Provided herein are methods for processing and/or detecting a sample. A method can comprise providing a barrier between a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the sample, wherein the barrier maintains the first region at a first atmosphere that is different than a second atmosphere of the second region, wherein a portion of the barrier comprises a fluid in coherent motion; and using a detector at least partially contained in the first region to detect one or more signals from the sample while the first region is maintained at the first atmosphere that is different than the second atmosphere of the second region. The portion of the barrier comprising fluid may have a pressure lower than the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere, or both.

Provided herein are methods for processing and/or detecting a sample. A method can comprise providing a barrier between a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the sample, wherein the barrier maintains the first region at a first atmosphere that is different than a second atmosphere of the second region, wherein a portion of the barrier comprises a fluid in coherent motion; and using a detector at least partially contained in the first region to detect one or more signals from the sample while the first region is maintained at the first atmosphere that is different than the second atmosphere of the second region. The portion of the barrier comprising fluid may have a pressure lower than the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere, or both.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to methods and systems for controlling fluid parameters within a detector. A first and second fluid pump manager control the flow of a first and second fluid to one or more heating/cooling devices, and a mixer receives and mixes the first and second fluids. An optical detector flow cell receives the fluid mixture from the mixer, and a pressure regulator controls the pressure at the optical detector flow cell. Thus, the composition, temperature, and pressure of a fluid mixture entering an optical detector flow cell can be controlled in real time.

A sensor housing apparatus includes a housing having an enclosure and outer assembly, at least one flow path extending through the housing, a gas sensor disposed in the enclosure and a thermal mass. The thermal mass is mounted within the enclosure in thermal communication with the gas sensor, and is configured to transfer thermal energy from the gas sensor to an ambient environment surrounding the housing and minimize temperature gradients adjacent the gas sensor.

The sample imaging apparatus includes: a housing that forms a closed space; a transparent tray on which a sample is placed in the housing; a plane light source that is formed by using a flat light guide plate, which propagates light emitted by a light emitting element in a plane direction, so as to illuminates the sample with illumination light through the tray in the housing; a lens that is disposed in the housing so as to face the plane light source with the tray interposed between the lens and the plane light source and is used for imaging the sample; and an imaging control unit that adjusts a focal length of the lens and performs imaging in a case of imaging the single sample.

Provided herein are methods for processing and/or detecting a sample. A method can comprise providing a barrier between a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the sample, wherein the barrier maintains the first region at a first atmosphere that is different than a second atmosphere of the second region, wherein a portion of the barrier comprises a fluid in coherent motion; and using a detector at least partially contained in the first region to detect one or more signals from the sample while the first region is maintained at the first atmosphere that is different than the second atmosphere of the second region. The portion of the barrier comprising fluid may have a pressure lower than the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere, or both.

An optical analysis device for determining at least one characteristic of a medium in a process environment or a laboratory environment is provided. The optical analysis device includes an optical measuring arrangement with a plurality of components arranged in an interior space of a housing. The housing has at least one entry/exit area for the entry and/or exit of optical radiation, and a mechanical interface for a positionally accurate detachable attachment of the optical analysis device to a location of operation, in particular in a process environment. Advantageously, the mechanical interface spatially overlaps with the optical radiation entry/exit area. This enables fast assembly and disassembly of the optical analysis device in different locations of use.