A reagent test paddle includes a contamination detection medium, a reference color bar, at least one chemical test medium, and a unique identifier. The contamination detection medium includes a reagent that changes color in the presence or when exposed to a hostile or inhospitable environment. Each chemical test medium includes a regent that is responsive to a respective analyte in a biological sample. The reference color bar includes reference color samples of different colors. The unique identifier, like a serial number, identifies the particular paddle and its chemical test medium so it can be uniquely and anonymously associated with a user. A method includes capturing and interpreting digital images of a biologically unexposed and subsequently exposed reagent test paddle at various delay times within an automatically calibrated environment; locating the paddle in a plurality of digital images, extracting the reference color bar and locating the contamination detection medium and chemical test medium in each digital image. Color changes of the chemical test medium and contamination medium are detected at various delay times after sample exposure. To determine validity of test results, the method further compares the detected colors of the contamination detection medium with predetermined colors expected for no contamination and contamination.

Color quantification of chemical test pads and titration of analytes can be performed under different lighting conditions. In one embodiment, the lighting condition is estimated under which a digital image is captured and utilized to select a set of reference colors from which the quantified color is compared to determine the titration. In another embodiment, a plurality of comparisons are made with different lighting conditions with the result having the highest confidence level being selected to determine the titration.

Color quantification of chemical test pads and titration of analytes can be performed under different lighting conditions. In one embodiment, the lighting condition is estimated under which a digital image is captured and utilized to select a set of reference colors from which the quantified color is compared to determine the titration. In another embodiment, a plurality of comparisons are made with different lighting conditions with the result having the highest confidence level being selected to determine the titration.

A reagent test paddle includes a contamination detection medium, a reference color bar, at least one chemical test medium, and a unique identifier. The contamination detection medium includes a reagent that changes color in the presence or when exposed to a hostile or inhospitable environment. Each chemical test medium includes a regent that is responsive to a respective analyte in a biological sample. The reference color bar includes reference color samples of different colors. The unique identifier, like a serial number, identifies the particular paddle and its chemical test medium so it can be uniquely and anonymously associated with a user. A method includes capturing and interpreting digital images of a biologically unexposed and subsequently exposed reagent test paddle at various delay times within an automatically calibrated environment; locating the paddle in a plurality of digital images, extracting the reference color bar and locating the contamination detection medium and chemical test medium in each digital image. Color changes of the chemical test medium and contamination medium are detected at various delay times after sample exposure. To determine validity of test results, the method further compares the detected colors of the contamination detection medium with predetermined colors expected for no contamination and contamination.

A reagent test paddle includes a contamination detection medium, a reference color bar, at least one chemical test medium, and a unique identifier. The contamination detection medium includes a reagent that changes color in the presence or when exposed to a hostile or inhospitable environment. Each chemical test medium includes a regent that is responsive to a respective analyte in a biological sample. The reference color bar includes reference color samples of different colors. The unique identifier, like a serial number, identifies the particular paddle and its chemical test medium so it can be uniquely and anonymously associated with a user. A method includes capturing and interpreting digital images of a biologically unexposed and subsequently exposed reagent test paddle at various delay times within an automatically calibrated environment; locating the paddle in a plurality of digital images, extracting the reference color bar and locating the contamination detection medium and chemical test medium in each digital image. Color changes of the chemical test medium and contamination medium are detected at various delay times after sample exposure. To determine validity of test results, the method further compares the detected colors of the contamination detection medium with predetermined colors expected for no contamination and contamination.

A system for monitoring the alkalinity of a treatment liquid in a treatment tank includes a reaction tank; an indicator burette which drops an indicator into the reaction tank; a reagent burette which drops an acidic reagent into the reaction tank; a probe-type absorptiometer to be inserted into the reaction tank; a measuring device which analyzes the transmittance of a solution detected by the absorptiometer to calculate the alkalinity; a first system that collects the treatment liquid from the treatment tank for storing and supplies the treatment liquid to the reaction tank; a control device which controls the operation of the first system so as to supply the treatment liquid to the reaction tank, outputs a completion signal to the measuring device, and controls a discharge system so as to discharge the treatment liquid in the reaction tank, when the calculation of alkalinity by the measuring device is completed.

A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

An apparatus and a method for determination of fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample uses a titration unit, an indicator, a reagent, and a measurement chamber. The apparatus has an RGB camera arranged outside of the measurement chamber, wherein the data recorded by this RGB camera can be transmitted to a computer unit and the image data transmitted to the computer unit in this connection can be compared using this computer unit with a reference database, preferably including an image and color database, and evaluated, so that action instructions can be output automatically, preferably by way of a speech module. In this way, fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample can be determined in automated manner, and action instructions can be output or carried out automatically.

An apparatus and a method for determination of fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample uses a titration unit, an indicator, a reagent, and a measurement chamber. The apparatus has an RGB camera arranged outside of the measurement chamber, wherein the data recorded by this RGB camera can be transmitted to a computer unit and the image data transmitted to the computer unit in this connection can be compared using this computer unit with a reference database, preferably including an image and color database, and evaluated, so that action instructions can be output automatically, preferably by way of a speech module. In this way, fluid-specific parameters and/or components of a sample can be determined in automated manner, and action instructions can be output or carried out automatically.