Instruments, systems, and methods for measuring optical density of microbiological samples are provided. In particular, optical density instruments providing improved safety, efficiency, comfort, and convenience are provided. Such optical density instruments include a handheld portion and a base station. The optical density instruments may be used in systems and methods for measuring optical density of biological samples.

Devices and systems are provided herein relating to a novel and rapid assay for tissue staining. Methods for using the devices and systems for analyzing tissue samples are also disclosed.

A blood sample collector can be used to collect a blood sample from a subject. The blood sample collector can be placed in a receptacle of a spectrometer to measure spectral data from the blood sample while the blood sample separates. The container may comprise a window to allow light such as infrared light to pass through the container, with the blood sample at least partially separating within the container between spectral measurements, which can provide improved accuracy of the measurements and additional information regarding the sample. The container may comprise an elongate axis and the container configured for placement in the spectrometer receptacle with the elongate axis extending toward a vertical direction in order to improve gravimetric separation of the blood sample. The spectrometer can be configured to measure the blood sample at a plurality of heights along the sample as the sample separates.

A method and apparatus for determining a growth rate on a semiconductor substrate is described herein. The apparatus is an optical sensor, such as an optical growth rate sensor. The optical sensor is positioned in an exhaust of a deposition chamber. The optical sensor is self-heated using one or more internal heating elements, such as a resistive heating element. The internal heating elements are configured to heat a sensor coupon. A film is formed on the sensor coupon by exhaust gases flowed through the exhaust and is correlated to film growth on a substrate within a process volume of the deposition chamber.

A method includes providing a cuvette containing a fluid sample having a first substance and emitting light from a light source through the cuvette containing the fluid sample for a duration of time. The cuvette is made of a material that at least partially dissolves in the presence of the first substance. Over the duration of time, the cuvette at least partially dissolves and an intensity of light that passes through the cuvette and the fluid sample changes at a rate. The method also includes receiving, by a light detector, the light that passed through the cuvette, measuring a change in intensity of the received light over the duration of time, and determining that the rate of change in intensity of the light over the duration of time is greater than a threshold rate of change.

A reaction container includes a transparent base including a resin material and having recessed portions formed in one or more regions of the transparent base such that the recessed portions are recessed from a surface of the transparent base, and a cover member including a thermoplastic resin material and positioned on the transparent base such that the cover member forms a flow path including a gap extending over the recessed portions between the cover member and the surface of the transparent base and has a spacer portion welded by laser irradiation to the transparent base outside the one or more regions of the transparent base. The cover member absorbs infrared light and transmits light having a wavelength within a range of visible light such that the cover member has light transmittance in the range of from 480 nm to 570 nm.

The invention relates to a measurement device for determining at least one gas component of a gas present in a measuring chamber of the measuring device, the measuring device comprising a housing enclosing the measuring chamber, at least one housing wall section of which housing being designed as an observation section for detecting electromagnetic radiation emanating from the observation section in a direction away from the measuring chamber, the observation section comprising at least one film layer, and the housing being designed as a plastic injection-moulded housing. The invention is characterised in that the observation section has at least one observation wall component comprising an injection-moulded observation body injection-moulded onto the at least one film layer, and the housing comprises the at least one observation wall component and an injection-moulded frame body injection-moulded onto the observation wall component.

A reaction container including a transparent base having a first surface having at least one region where recessed portions are formed and recessed from the first surface, and a cover member positioned such that the cover member forms a gap from the first surface inside the region and is welded to the transparent base outside the region. The cover member absorbs infrared light and transmits light having a wavelength within a range of visible light.

A cuvette includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion may be connected by a hinge. The cuvette may include a first slide and a second slide.

An in situ near infrared sensing unit includes a housing allowing the sensing unit to be inserted in a variety of media. A transparent window is formed in the sidewall of the housing. A sensing element is mounted inside the housing. The sensing element is configured to emit near infrared light provided from a light source external to the housing, and the sensing element is configured to collect near infrared light transmitted through the transparent window. A mirror is mounted in the housing at an angle with respect to the transparent window and opposite the sensing element. The angle allows the mirror to reflect the near infrared light, emitted by the sensing element, through the transparent window.