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.

A method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for controlling components of a detection device. The device may detect turbidity of liquid with sensors such as a density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor. A light modulation pattern may reduce or eliminate interference in sensor readings. Readings may be performed during off cycles of an illumination light to reduce interference but to provide improved visibility of a tube. Dark and light sensor readings may be performed with an emitter respectively off or on to account for ambient light in subsequent readings. Readings from the density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor may be used to calculate McFarland values. The device may be zeroed based on an emitter level that results in a sensor reading satisfying a predetermined criterion.

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a tip resistant optical testing instrument configured to rest on a surface. The optical testing instrument includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube. The shell includes a bottom shell surface, wherein the bottom shell surface defines at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element is configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in a testing position, and a translational surface configured to engage the surface to support the optical testing instrument in an angled position. In an instance in which the optical testing instrument tilts from the testing position to the angled position, the translational surface is configured to engage the surface contacting the translational surface to prevent the optical testing instrument from tipping further and allow the optical testing instrument to return to the testing position.

The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for performing an assay on a dry slide or other solid media using a reduced reading window. In an embodiment, method of performing at least one assay comprises obtaining an image of a fluid sample located on a dry slide, positioning a reading window to correspond to an area of the fluid sample in the image, determining an interference area within the reading window based on light intensity, reducing the reading window to eliminate the interference area from the reading window, and performing at least one assay using the reduced reading window.

The present invention reduces thermal stress that is generated in a join portion of a window material in an optical measurement cell, and is an optical measurement cell having translucent windows through which light is transmitted and into an interior of which is introduced a test sample. This optical measurement cell has a planar window material that forms the translucent windows, a join supporting portion that is joined to an outer edge portion of a main surface of the window material and supports the window material, and a low thermal expansion component that is provided on an outer-side circumferential surface of the join supporting portion and whose coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the join supporting portion.

A probe body (12) in a optical probe (10) including a measurement tube (14) having a plurality of probe vents (16) adapted to allow process fluid to flow there through; two or more purge rings, each including a process window, a purge gas inlet, and a plurality of purge gas outlet openings adapted to direct purge gas toward or adjacent to the process window; and a measurement region defined by a portion of the measurement tube and two or more of the purge rings.

The present disclosure relates to an in-line compact measuring device, for example for optical measurements, comprising a housing having a process connection intended to be connected to a process vessel connection complementary to the process connection; at least one sensor assembly arranged in the housing; and a measuring circuit that is connected to the sensor assembly and is arranged in the housing. The in-line compact measuring device has at least one fluid line in thermally conductive contact with at least one housing wall of the housing, which fluid line can be connected to a cooling fluid supply arranged outside the housing.

A method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for controlling components of a detection device. The device may detect turbidity of liquid with sensors such as a density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor. A light modulation pattern may reduce or eliminate interference in sensor readings. Readings may be performed during off cycles of an illumination light to reduce interference but to provide improved visibility of a tube. Dark and light sensor readings may be performed with an emitter respectively off or on to account for ambient light in subsequent readings. Readings from the density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor may be used to calculate McFarland values. The device may be zeroed based on an emitter level that results in a sensor reading satisfying a predetermined criterion.

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.

In the field of consumable materials for automatic analytical instruments, transparent plastic cuvettes having increased scratch resistance and a method for producing same includes contacting exclusively an outer surface of the transparent plastic cuvette with a liquid comprising at least one surfactant or with a triglyceride and subsequently drying the outer surface such that scattered-light optical properties of the transparent plastic are not adversely affected.