A measuring apparatus includes: a measuring unit to measure a signal value corresponding to a concentration of a specified substance of a first sample; an acquiring unit to acquire a reference value pertaining to the specified substance of a second sample; a calculating unit to calculate a concentration value of the specified substance of the first sample, based on the signal value and the reference value; a timing determination unit to determine timing for calibrating the reference value when satisfying at least one of a first condition that an activity status of a user is a predetermined status and a second condition that a variation in the concentration value of the specified substance of the first sample is equal to or smaller than a threshold value; and an input request unit to request the user to input the reference value at the determined timing.

A method for verifying a density and/or viscosity measuring device in a measuring station of a process installation during ongoing operation, in which a medium flows through a main channel of the process installation, comprising steps: providing a side channel, which is connected as a bypass of the main channel, wherein the side channel is fluidically connected to the main channel via two regions of the main channel with mutually differing diameters; providing a MEMS-based master or control density measuring device in the side channel such that the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device is flowed through by the medium; performing at least one verification measurement with the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device; and verifying the density and/or viscosity measuring device based on the at least one verification measurement performed by the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device.

Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.

An automatic analysis apparatus includes: an automatic analysis unit 100 which includes a dispensing mechanism including a probe which is configured to dispense a sample or a reagent into a reaction container, a cleaning mechanism; and a control unit 124. The control unit includes a storage unit 124a configured to store count values which indicate weightings to contamination and are set in advance in accordance with a plurality of analysis conditions, a processing unit 124b configured to obtain a cumulative count for each dispensing of the sample or the reagent on the basis of the stored count values and to determine whether the obtained cumulative count exceeds a threshold value set in advance, and an instruction unit 124c configured to instruct an operation of the cleaning mechanism to clean the probe when a result of determination is that the cumulative count exceeds the threshold value.

A fitment device may include a core made of a first material and including a securing portion configured to secure to a chassis and a container portion configured to seal to a container. The fitment device includes an aperture including a first end located at the securing portion and a second end located at the container portion, wherein the aperture is configured to receive a probe in the first end. A plug located in the aperture is movable within the aperture upon contact with the probe to open a passageway between the first end and an interior of the container. Other devices and methods are disclosed.

A sample-handling-module (10) and an apparatus (1) for calibrating a multi-channel liquid handling device are disclosed. The sample-handling-module cooperates with a weighing balance (11) with a load receiver (16). The sample-handling module has a holding device (20) with holders (22), arranged sequentially and equally spaced apart, configured to receive receptacles (26). A supporting device (30) has an array of tines (32) to laterally support the holders when the holders dismount from the load receiver. An actuating device (44) is operatively connected to the holders through the array of tines. The actuating device mounts the holders onto the load receiver, one at a time, by disengaging the corresponding tines. A system and a method of operating the actuating device are also disclosed. The sample-handling-module of the present invention is modular and compact thus making it easier to manufacture, operate, repair, and service.

A biological analysis system comprising at least one inlet and one outlet, at least two biological analysis devices connected to one another by a conveyor defining a closed circuit, each biological analysis device comprising a region for the exchange of tube holding racks with the conveyor. The conveyor and the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system comprise a reader of an identifier of a tube holding rack which reader is designed to communicate an identifier it has read to a controller of the biological analysis system, which controller is designed to apply a specific treatment to a tube holding rack identified by the reader of the conveyor and the identifier of which has not previously been read by the reader of the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system.

A method for calibration and/or error detection in an optical measurement device for biological samples having at least a first and a second measurement channel is described. The method comprises calculating an updated reference factor for the second measurement channel based on the first and second detection signals, comparing the updated reference factor with at least one current reference factors and depending on the result of the comparison, storing the updated reference factor as a current reference factor for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel or keeping the current reference factors for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel.

This disclosure provides a highly accurate NDIR gas sensor and a highly accurate optical device even using a simplified optical filter. The NDIR gas sensor and the optical device include: an optical filter having a substrate and a multilayer film on the substrate; and an infrared light emitting and receiving device; where the multilayer film has a structure in which a first layer and a second layer are alternately stacked; the active layer contains Al.sub.xIn.sub.1-xSb or InAs.sub.ySb.sub.1-y; and the optical filter includes a wavelength range having an average transmittance of 70% or more with a width of 50 nm or more in 2400-6000 nm, and has a maximum transmittance of 5% or more in 6000-8000 nm and an average transmittance of 2% or more and 60% or less in 6000-8000 nm.

A method of operating a sensor system including at least one sensor to detect a first gas analyte and a control system includes electronically interrogating the sensor to determine the operational status thereof and, based upon the results of the electronic interrogation, the control system initiating an automated maintenance procedure for the sensor.