Disclosed herein is a system, particularly a microscope system, for confocal Raman-spectroscopic measurements. The system is configured to detect minute sample amounts of microbes in a sample chamber with a lid, wherein the system is configured such that a comparably large working distance between the objective lens and the sample is sustained such that a measurement can be performed through the lid of the sample chamber. This allows for cultivating and measuring the sample in the same container.

The present invention relates to the field of biological sample testing technology, and in particular, to a biological sample reaction vessel. A reagent storage portion and a push rod movable relative to the reagent storage portion are packaged in the reaction vessel; the reagent storage portion comprises at least one reagent containing cavity, and the reagent containing cavity is sealed by a sealing element; and the push rod is connected to the sealing element, and the push rod is used for cooperation with an external device to separate the sealing element from the reagent storage portion. In this application, the reagent storage portion and the push rod are both packaged in the biological sample reaction vessel, and in reaction, the biological sample reaction vessel only needs to cooperate with a test cassette. With one operation, that is, inserting the biological sample reaction vessel into the external device, the reagent in the reagent storage portion can be released rapidly.

A gas cell assembly and applications of the gas cell assembly in absorption spectroscopy. An example gas cell assembly includes a gas cell body with an inlet for receiving a gas sample from a gas source; a first and a second end portions that allow optical transmission into and out of the body, the second end portion being substantially opposite from the first end portion; and a channel providing a path for the gas sample and optical beam(s) between the first end portion and the second end portion. The gas cell assembly also includes reflective surfaces outside the body to receive versions of the optical beams from the body and to reflect each version of the incident beam towards the body. A detector, then, receives a last reflected beam and transmits a corresponding data signal to a processing unit for analyzing the gas sample based on the data signal.

The present disclosure relates to a sensor cap for an optochemical sensor for determining or monitoring at least one analyte present in a medium having a substantially cylindrical plug-in component and a sleeve-shaped outer component. The plug-in component has an optical component with a convex-shaped surface region for optimal flow, and the optical component at least partially consists of a material transparent to measuring radiation. On the surface region of the optical component is an analyte-sensitive matrix having at least one functional layer. The plug-in component and the sleeve-shaped component are designed such that the connecting region coming into contact with the medium is between the plug-in component and the sleeve-shaped outer component in the edge region of the optical component or is at a radial distance from the edge region of the optical component, and is sealed, without a gap, facing the medium.

The invention relates to a system (1) for confocal Raman-spectroscopic measurements, comprising at least the following components: a sample chamber (10), wherein said sample chamber (10) is configured to house a sample (2) in a closed chamber volume (12) of the sample chamber (10), an excitation light source (3), an objective lens (4), configured to focus excitation light (32) of the excitation light source (3) through a ceiling portion (11) of the sample chamber (10) in a focal volume (31) in the chamber volume (12) and to collect inelastically scattered light (33) stemming from the focal volume (31), a confocal detection arrangement (20), comprising means for a confocal detection (22, 23) of a Raman signal comprised in the inelastically scattered light (33) from the focal volume (31), and a detector (21) that is configured to detect and to record said Raman signal,

wherein the distance (5) between the ceiling portion (11) of the sample chamber (10) and the focal volume (31) is greater than one millimetre during operation of the system (1).

A gas cell assembly and applications of the gas cell assembly in absorption spectroscopy. An example gas cell assembly includes a gas cell body with an inlet for receiving a gas sample from a gas source; a first and a second end portions that allow optical transmission into and out of the body, the second end portion being substantially opposite from the first end portion; and a channel providing a path for the gas sample and optical beam(s) between the first end portion and the second end portion. The gas cell assembly also includes reflective surfaces outside the body to receive versions of the optical beams from the body and to reflect each version of the incident beam towards the body. A detector, then, receives a last reflected beam and transmits a corresponding data signal to a processing unit for analyzing the gas sample based on the data signal.

Disclosed are devices, components and methods associated with a body fluid analysis system, which, according to some embodiments, can be employed in at-home, clinical, medical office and outpatient settings and applications. The system can be configured to provide results within a short period of time after a body fluid sample has been acquired from a patient such as by a finger or skin prick. In some embodiments, a body fluid sample cartridge is configured for use in conjunction with a corresponding spectroscopic body fluid analysis device, where the cartridge comprises one or more body fluid dispersing sheets, layers or membranes. In some embodiments, the cartridge is configured to deliver and disperse a predetermined amount or volume of a body fluid sample taken from a human or animal onto, into, through or across the body fluid dispersing sheet, layer or membrane disposed within the cartridge for subsequent analysis of the body fluid sample by a corresponding spectroscopic device.

A device suitable for measuring or quantifying the permeation or diffusion of one or more substances through a membrane, said device including a housing at least part of which is configured to form a first chamber or cell capable of holding a fluid or liquid in use, and a membrane support means to hold or locate at least one membrane in use adjacent to said first chamber or cell, wherein the first chamber or cell includes one or more windows or orifices through which ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS) and/or infrared (IR) electromagnetic radiation can pass.