Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an effective and reliable approach for cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of apparatuses including but not limited to medical imaging instruments such as endoscopes and laparoscopes and the like. In the case of medical imaging instruments, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments the present invention can be cleaned while the distal end portion of the endoscope is in vivo. Such apparatuses have a cleaning member incorporated therein (e.g., a resilient polymeric wiper, a sponge, an absorbent pad or the like) that is used for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element. The apparatus is preferably adapted for being mounted on imaging apparatus but can also be entirely or partially integral with one or more components of the imaging apparatus or system of which it is a component.

Aspects relate to automated cell culture incubators comprising imaging systems, e.g., holographic or phase-contrast imagers, configured for imaging said cells within the incubators.

An embodiment provides a method for cleaning a sample cell of a turbidimeter, including: introducing an apparatus comprising a cleaning component into the sample cell, wherein upon introduction of the apparatus into the sample cell a secondary flow path out of the sample cell is opened; engaging a functionality of the apparatus to clean the sample cell; and removing a plurality of particles from the sample cell via the secondary flow path. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A sensor for monitoring CO.sub.2 in a fluid regardless of the phase properties of the fluid, i.e., regardless of whether the fluid contacting the window is a liquid water-based phase, a liquid oil-based phase, a mixture of liquid water and liquid oil-based phases, or a gas phase. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the fluid. A mid-infrared light source directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window and the beam is internal reflected at an interface between the window and the fluid. The reflected beam is passed through three narrow bandpass filters which preferentially transmit mid-infrared radiation over bands of wavelengths corresponding to absorbance peaks of water, oil and CO.sub.2. The amount of CO.sub.2 is determined from the intensities of the mid-infrared radiation passing through the three filters.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an effective and reliable approach for cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of apparatuses including but not limited to medical imaging instruments such as endoscopes and laparoscopes and the like. In the case of medical imaging instruments, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments the present invention can be cleaned while the distal end portion of the endoscope is in vivo. Such apparatuses have a cleaning member incorporated therein (e.g., a resilient polymeric wiper, a sponge, an absorbent pad or the like) that is used for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element. The apparatus is preferably adapted for being mounted on imaging apparatus but can also be entirely or partially integral with one or more components of the imaging apparatus or system of which it is a component.

A sensor for monitoring CO.sub.2 in a fluid regardless of the phase properties of the fluid, i.e., regardless of whether the fluid contacting the window is a liquid water-based phase, a liquid oil-based phase, a mixture of liquid water and liquid oil-based phases, or a gas phase. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the fluid. A mid-infrared light source directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window and the beam is internal reflected at an interface between the window and the fluid. The reflected beam is passed through three narrow bandpass filters which preferentially transmit mid-infrared radiation over bands of wavelengths corresponding to absorbance peaks of water, oil and CO.sub.2. The amount of CO.sub.2 is determined from the intensities of the mid-infrared radiation passing through the three filters

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) optical head includes a housing configured for attachment to a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber. The TDLAS optical head further includes optics within the housing for transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving a laser beam within a process chamber through the sight tube. The TDLAS optical head further includes a photo sensor in the housing positioned to receive light emitted by combustion within the process chamber to which the housing is attached.

There may be provided a system comprising a spectroscopic device; wherein the spectroscopic device is configured to analyze a fluid of a pool.

There may be provided a system comprising a spectroscopic device; wherein the spectroscopic device is configured to analyze a fluid of a pool.

A testing device (10) for testing the level of a selected chemical in central heating system water in a central heating system circuit comprises: a sample chamber (14) for holding a sample of central heating system water to be tested, the sample chamber (14) being connectable (12) to the central heating system circuit to allow fluid to pass between the central heating system circuit and the sample chamber (14); means (16) for controlling filling of the sample chamber (14) with central heating system water from the central heating system circuit, and emptying of the sample chamber (14); at least one valve (18) for isolating the sample of central heating system water from the heating circuit during testing; and optical testing apparatus including a light source (20) and a detector (22), for measuring an optical property of the sample of central heating system water isolated within the sample chamber (14) and thereby making a determination as to whether or not the level of the selected chemical in the water is greater than a predetermined threshold level.