The invention relates to a sample-holding element (20) for a liquid sample for the simultaneous analysis of three or more chemico-physical parameters of the liquid by means of an analysis device. The sample-holding element (20) has a sample-holding chamber (31), which can be filled with the liquid, wherein the sample-holding element (20) has at least three measurement points (24, 25, 26, 26N, 27) arranged adjacent to each other, which are distributed over the sample-holding chamber (31), wherein two of the measurement points (24, 25) are a photonic measurement point (24) and a refractive-index measurement point (25) and wherein the at least one further measurement point is selected from the group comprising at least a pH measurement point (26), a conductivity measurement point (27) and a germ measurement point. The sample-holding element (20) is a planar element (20) that is double-walled at least in some sections and that has plates (30, 30), which are arranged on each other in a plane-parallel manner and are connected to each other at the edges thereof at least in some sections, wherein the sample-holding chamber (31) is formed as a planar gap between the plates (30, 30) and the distance between the plates (30, 30) is just so large that the liquid sample can be subjected to the capillary effect between the double walls (30, 30). The measurement point (25) for measuring the refractive index has a refraction structure (25, 25) on one of the plates (30, 30) in a region predefined therefor. The invention further relates to an analysis device set having the sample-holding element (20) and having an analysis apparatus (1) and to a method for the simultaneous analysis of three or more chemico-physical parameters of the liquid.

Disclosed herein are seals for liquid-tight bonding of an optical window comprising a BiIn alloy. Also disclosed are optical cells comprising the BiIn alloy seals to provide a liquid-tight seal between a cell housing and a drilled optical window.

A measuring cell for performing optical measurements of a medium disposed in the measuring cell includes: recesses extending through a first outer wall and a second outer wall of the measuring cell; and two window mounts, each with a transparent window therein and each including outward protruding projections configured to be inserted a corresponding recess at a selected installation depth, wherein a wall of the measuring cell that surrounds the recess includes on an inside, for each selectable installation depth, one set of contact surfaces arranged around the recess in a radial direction such that the projections of the window mount seat on the contact surfaces of the corresponding set, which are arranged in an axial direction such that the window mount is arranged in the recess at the selected installation depth.

A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable the reduction of sample carryover in the measurement cell of an analytical instrument. A sample cell is defined as a region sealed within a first o-ring. Located outside of said sample region is another o-ring which seals and defines a seal wash region as the region between the first and second o-ring. After the fluid sample is injected into the measurement cell a pressure is applied to the seal wash region, forcing the first o-ring to the innermost extent of the groove in which it sits, expelling any trapped solvent and removing from the measurement cell a significant dead volume while the cell is flushed and prepared for a new sample and corresponding measurement.

An optical component group for use in a spectrometer module of a system for measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters or whole-blood bilirubin parameters. The optical component group includes a light dispersing element and an achromatic lens assembly disposed between the light dispersing element and a light entrance port of the spectrometer module where the achromatic lens assembly is thermo-compensating permitting thermal expansion and contraction of the achromatic lens assembly in a linear direction where the linear directions is also transverse to a light beam from the light entrance port through the achromatic lens assembly and to the light dispersing element and back through the achromatic lens assembly.

A replaceable cuvette assembly for use in an optical absorbance measurement system for measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters or whole-blood bilirubin parameters. The replaceable cuvette assembly includes a cuvette substrate and a cuvette module fixedly connected to the cuvette substrate wherein the cuvette substrate is a support for securing the cuvette assembly within the optical absorbance measurement system. The cuvette module has a sample inlet port, a sample outlet port, an electronic chip assembly, a sample receiving chamber that fluidly communicates with the sample inlet port and the sample outlet port, a first cuvette window, and a second cuvette window forming a portion of the sample receiving chamber. The first cuvette window and the second cuvette window are aligned with each other defining a cuvette optical path length between the first cuvette window and the second cuvette window and disposed within an optical path of the optical absorbance measurement system.

A calibrating-light module for use in a system for measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters or whole-blood bilirubin parameters. The calibrating-light module includes a calibrating module housing, a light beam receiving portion connected to a first end of the calibrating module housing, a calibrating light portion connected to a side of the calibrating module housing wherein the side is transverse to the first end, and an optic fiber portion connected to a second end of the calibrating module housing wherein the calibrating module housing, the light beam receiving portion and the optic fiber portion are aligned with an optical path and the calibrating light portion is spaced from and transverse to the optical path.

A method for detecting and counting particles suspended in fluids, such as bacteria suspended in urine, utilizing dynamic features of the suspended particles and employing light scattering measurements. The disclosed method is suitable for determining the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics. A cuvette for detecting bacteria in fluids, which is especially suited for the light scattering measurements, is provided.

The invention pertains to a system for operando measurements that comprises, a reactor (1) comprising a reactor chamber (9) having at least one window (19) transparent for radiation for irradiating a sample (24) provided inside the reaction chamber (9), a radiation source (21, 31) for generating the radiation for irradiating the sample (24), wherein the radiation source (21, 31) is arranged to irradiate the sample at an irradiation location situated on the sample; a detection unit (26, 33) for detecting radiation scattered, emitted, reflected or diffracted by the sample (24) or transmitted through said sample (24), a sampling capillary (12) comprising an orifice (14) for collecting a fluid sample inside the reactor chamber (9), wherein the orifice (14) of the sampling capillary (12) is arranged at a fixed position relative to the irradiation location,
wherein the reactor (1) is movable relative to the radiation source (21, 31).

Disclosed herein are seals for liquid-tight bonding of an optical window comprising a BiIn alloy. Also disclosed are optical cells comprising the BiIn alloy seals to provide a liquid-tight seal between a cell housing and a drilled optical window.