A sensor is disclosed, comprising: a first optical reflector provided on a first support element; a second optical reflector provided on a second support element and arranged opposed to the first optical reflector along an optical axis, the opposed first and second optical reflectors being spaced from each other forming a sample space for containing a sample between the first and second optical reflectors; wherein the second optical reflector comprises a recess to provide an optical cavity with stable resonance in at least one mode and having an optical cavity length of at most 50 μm and/or an optical mode volume of 100 μm.sup.3 or less; at least one electromagnetic (EM) radiation source configured to illuminate the optical cavity with EM radiation; and a detector configured to detect EM radiation from the optical cavity; wherein the first support element and the second support element are bonded to each other and form a unitary structure.

An apparatus for estimating a concentration of a biomarker, may include: an inlet configured to receive the biomarker of an object; a chamber configured to store the biomarker; a sensor cartridge comprising a measurement channel provided as a porous substrate, the measurement channel comprising a probe which is disposed in each pore of the porous substrate and changes in color upon reaction with the biomarker; a light source configured to emit light onto the measurement channel; a detector configured to detect the light incident from the measurement channel; and a processor configured to obtain color change information of the measurement channel based on the light detected by the detector, and estimate the concentration of the biomarker based on the color change information.

An embodiment includes a sample receiving region, a first diagnostic element that includes one or more colorimetric analysis regions, and a second diagnostic element that includes one or more lateral flow assay analysis regions. The embodiment also includes a first flow path that allows a portion of a liquid deposited at the sample receiving region to flow to the first diagnostic element. The embodiment also includes a second flow path that allows a portion of the liquid deposited at the sample receiving region to flow to the second diagnostic element.

A sensor for use in biosensing is disclosed. The sensor comprises a photonic crystal waveguide comprising a photonic crystal comprising holes in a layer of dielectric material and a waveguide in the photonic crystal. The sensor comprises at least one strip disposed on the photonic crystal waveguide, spaced apart along, and running across the photonic crystal waveguide so as to form respective strip cavities, each of the at least one strip including a respective layer of material for sensing presence of a respective analyte; and a slot running along the waveguide of the photonic crystal waveguide.

A sample of water is tested for silica and phosphate content in a single apparatus. In the test method, a first sample of the water is colorimetrically analyzed in a reaction chamber using a “molybdenum blue” test in which silica and phosphate in the sample are complexed with a first reagent. The phosphate complexes are then optically inactivated by a second reagent and the color of the silica complexes is intensified with a third reagent. From this, the silica content is calculated. A further sample is colorimetrically analyzed without using the second reagent, so that a combined silica and phosphate content of the further sample is obtained. A value of the silica content is subtracted from the value of the combined silica and phosphate content, resulting in a phosphate content for the sample. The silica content and the phosphate content of the sample are reportable.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing gas-sensitive substrates are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may comprise: a gas-sensitive substrate at least partially disposed within a gas flow channel of the gas detecting apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the gas-sensitive substrate is treated to mimic stain characteristics produced by at least one interferent gaseous substance, and the gas-sensitive substrate is configured to produce a stain in response to making contact with at least one target gaseous substance disposed within the gas flow channel.

An apparatus includes a flow cell body with an array of reaction sites positioned along a floor of a channel. An optical filter layer is positioned under the floor of the channel and includes at least a portion spanning uninterruptedly along a length corresponding to the length of the array of reaction sites. Imaging regions are positioned under the optical filter layer. Each imaging region is positioned directly under a corresponding reaction site. The optical filter layer is configured to permit one or more selected wavelengths of light to pass from each reaction site to the imaging region forming a sensing pair with the reaction site. The optical filter layer is configured to reduce transmission of excitation light directed toward the reaction sites; and to reduce transmission of light emitted from each reaction site to imaging regions not forming a sensing pair with the reaction site.

The present disclosure relates to an article for detecting a disinfectant via visual feedback. The article have a first substrate with a first major surface and opposite ends. The article also comprises a process indicator disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface. The process indicator reacts with at least one liquid disinfectant selected from the group consisting of glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, and combinations thereof. The process indicator can be formed from a synthetic amine-containing polymer derived from polyethylenimine (PEI). The article can have a flow channel that is formed by a portion of the process indicator and that extends between the opposite ends. The disclosure also relates to a kit containing the article as well as a method of using the article in a disinfection process. The article is used to diagnose issues in an automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs).

A one-way relief valve for hermetically sealed packages is disclosed, wherein said valve comprises a valve body (100) made of a lower support surface (102) provided with vent holes (101) and a flexible membrane (110) associated with said lower support surface (102) that is capable of switching between a configuration in which the valve is closed and a configuration in which the valve is open. Said membrane (110) is characterised in that it is coloured, in order to facilitate visual inspection by the operator or the machine during the assembly of the valve and/or the production of hermetically sealed packages provided with the valve.

An optical water-quality detection apparatus includes a detection device, a biofilm-inhibition light source, a detection light source and a sensor. The detection device includes a detection chamber. The biofilm-inhibition light source is disposed outside the detection chamber and configured to emit biofilm-inhibition light. The detection light source is disposed outside the detection chamber and configured to emit detection light. The sensor is configured to sense the detection light penetrating the detection chamber. A beam of the detection light and a beam of the inhibition light overlaps as penetrating the detection chamber.