The present disclosure relates to a sensor arrangement for determining the turbidity of a liquid medium. The sensor arrangement includes a sensor section with at least one light source for sending transmission light into a measuring chamber, and at least one receiver associated with the light source for receiving reception light from the measuring chamber, wherein the transmission light is converted into the reception light in the measuring chamber by the medium by means of scattering at a measurement angle, and the reception light received by the receiver is a measure of the turbidity. The reception light is back reflected at a reflection element in contact with the medium, whereby an optical path from the light source through the measuring chamber to the reflection element and from the reflection element through the measuring chamber to the receiver results.

A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample. The apparatus and system optionally provides for downstream processing of samples prepared for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Such apparatus includes further processing after inoculation of an AST panel for the AST test. Such further processing includes capping and transferring inoculated panels to AST instrument.

The present disclosure describes a flow cell, a read head, and a skid attachment for measuring real-time molecular weight for downstream process control. In an embodiment, the flow cell comprises a hollow cylindrical tube, an inlet flange connected to an inlet of the tube, and an outlet flange connected to an outlet of the tube. In an embodiment, the read head comprises at least one push rod, at least two line contacts, where the at least one push rod is configured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against the at least two line contacts. In an embodiment, the skid attachment comprises a plurality of arms connected to an enclosure configured to house at least a multi-angle light scattering instrument comprising a read head.

An optical measurement instrument is an integrated instrument that includes an optical cavity with a light source, a sample cuvette, and an optical sensor. The instrument can be used for taking measurements of organism concentration in one or more samples. Preferably, the instrument holds multiple, individually-loaded, independent fluid samples and determines bacteria concentration via a forward-scattering signal. The instrument can incorporate onboard incubation to promote bacterial growth in the samples such that, once a certain bacterial concentration is achieved, the higher concentration sample can be used with a mass spectrometer to identify the type of bacteria. The instrument and mass spectrometer can be a part of a network for medical diagnostic testing data where data is stored in a manner that is inherently untainted by patient identifiable information.

One or more homogenizing elements are employed in a flow through, multi-detector optical measurement system. The homogenizing elements correct for problems common to multi-detector flow-through systems such as peak tailing and non-uniform sample profile within the measurement cell. The homogenizing elements include coiled inlet tubing, a flow distributor near the inlet of the cell, and a flow distributor at the outlet of the cell. This homogenization of the sample mimics plug flow within the measurement cell and enables each detector to view the same sample composition in each individual corresponding viewed sample volume. This system is particularly beneficial when performing multiangle light scattering (MALS) measurements of narrow chromatographic peaks such as those produced by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

A cuvette carrier comprising: a plurality of walls defining a holding volume for a cuvette; a first and second transmissive region included in the plurality of walls; and a first optical polariser arranged to polarise light passing through the first transmissive region.

A method for detecting and counting particles suspended in fluids, such as bacteria suspended in urine, utilizing dynamic features of the suspended particles and employing light scattering measurements. The disclosed method is suitable for determining the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics. A cuvette for detecting bacteria in fluids, which is especially suited for the light scattering measurements, is provided.

The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.

A system for determining the growth/dissolution rate of colloidal particles is disclosed and includes multiple light sources and multiple sensors. A light source is constructed to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a specimen chamber that holds the colloidal particles. The chamber allows a portion of the combined beam to scatter perpendicularly or at some other angle to the combined beam. The scattered portion of the beam is directed to a sensor that detects electromagnetic radiation. The sensor is connected to processor that activates the light source and obtains an image from the sensor. Multiple images are taken at a time interval and for each image taken, and a total image intensity level is calculated and normalized. A formula is then calculated that fits the normalized values over time and a slope is determined from the formula.

[Problems] Objects include providing a cover film for testing which can be well fixed to a substrate having a groove and in which a pressure sensitive adhesive does not invade into the groove, providing a testing member comprising the cover film for testing, and providing a method of manufacturing the cover film for testing.

[Solution] The cover film for testing (1, 2) comprises a base material (10) and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer (20) laminated on one surface side of the base material (10). The cover film for testing (1, 2) has a region in which the pressure sensitive adhesive layer (20) does not exist in the plan view.