Methods for distinguishing particles in a fluid sample are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring a background SIMI image and a background brightfield image of a membrane filter while the membrane filter is free of a fluid sample, introducing a fluid sample onto the membrane filter, acquiring a SIMI image and a brightfield image of filtered particles resting on the membrane filter, distinguishing between the filtered particulates and the membrane filter based on the background SIMI image, generating a particle mask based on the SIMI image, and detecting beads via the particle mask. Methods for distinguishing particulates include distinguishing between viable and non-viable cell populations, distinguishing between cellular and non-cellular particulates, distinguishing between biological and non-biological particulates, distinguishing between first and second protein types, determining stability of monoclonal antibody drugs, identifying beads in a cell therapy, and detecting bacteria.

Methods and systems for detecting particles. In an exemplary method, a sample fluid including the particles may be driven from a sample inlet channel, through a confluence region, and into a sample outlet channel defining a longitudinal axis. Focusing fluid may be introduced into the confluence region from at least two focusing channels along respective introduction axes. Introducing may be rotationally asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The introduction axes and the longitudinal axis may collectively extend in three dimensions. The particles may be passed through an interrogation zone of the sample outlet channel. The interrogation zone may be irradiated with light. Optical radiation may be detected from the interrogation zone.

A device for measuring the dust content of an air stream includes a supply line having an inlet opening for supplying the air stream toward a measuring chamber for measuring the dust content. An adjustable flow rate pump is configured for suctioning the air stream toward the measuring chamber. A first measuring system is configured for measuring the velocity, temperature, pressure, and moisture content of the air stream at the inlet opening. A second measuring system is configured for measuring the flow rate, temperature, pressure, and moisture content of the air stream in the measuring chamber. A third measuring system is configured for measuring the dust content in the measuring chamber.

One variation of a method for detecting pathogens in an environment includes, during a first sampling period: triggering collection of a pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment by an air sampler; and tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection subsystem integrated within the air sampler, the first organic load representative of a first amount of organic matter present in the first pathogen sample. In response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment, the method further includes: interpreting presence of a set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and, in response to detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample, transmitting a notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment to a user associated with the environment.

One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.

One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.

One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.

A method for localizing a test region of interest on an assay membrane to determine the contours of the test region and enable calibration of the location of the test region such that the same region can be localized to image an analyte of interest after an assay run. Pre-localization of the test region limits the contours of the detection area to only the test region with a reasonable margin such that background noise received by the detector can be minimized. By limiting the region of detection to a pre-localized test region improved accuracy can be achieved in flow assay membrane tests, in particular in automated analyzer systems.

An analyzing apparatus includes an X-ray measurement device, an optical characteristic measurement device, and a calculation unit. The X-ray measurement device may be configured to measure fluorescent X-rays generated from the measurement object. The optical characteristic measurement device may be configured to obtain optical characteristics other than the fluorescent X-rays of one or more carbon compounds contained in the measurement object. The calculation unit may be configured to calculate information about a quantity of the one or more carbon compounds contained in the measurement object on the basis of the optical characteristics of the carbon compound(s), and correct the information about fluorescent X-rays measured by the X-ray measurement device on the basis of the information about the quantity of the carbon compound(s).

Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses and methods for detecting fluid particles and their characteristics. In various embodiments, a device for detecting fluid particles and their characteristics may comprise a fluid composition sensor configured to receive a volume of fluid. The fluid composition sensor has a collection media housing configured to receive a portion of a collection media, a pump for moving a volume of fluid over the collection media housing, an imaging device configured to capture an image of particles on the collection media, and a particle matter mass concentration calculation circuitry configured to calculate a total particle matter mass. The particle matter mass concentration calculation circuitry is connected with the imaging device and the pump. The particle matter mass concentration calculation circuitry is configured to adjust the volume of fluid over the collection media housing.