A fluid handling device includes a channel including a roughened surface that causes irregular reflection of light. A fluid handling system includes the fluid handling device, an irradiation part for irradiating the roughened surface of the channel with light, and a light detection part for detecting light reflected by the roughened surface or light transmitted through the roughened surface after irradiation from the light irradiation part.

A fluid characterization measuring instrument is disclosed that comprises a sample vessel for a bulk complex sample fluid having a capacity that is substantially larger than a domain size of the complex sample fluid and that is sufficiently large to cause bulk scattering effects to substantially exceed surface effects for the complex fluid sample, a coherent light source positioned to illuminate the bulk complex sample fluid in the sample vessel and a first fibre having a first end positioned to receive backscattered light from the sample after it has interacted with the sample. The first fibre can also be positioned close enough to an optical axis of the coherent light source and to the sample vessel to substantially decrease a contribution of multiply scattered light in the backscattered light. The instrument can further comprise a first photon-counting detector positioned to receive the backscattered light from a second end of the fibre, correlation logic responsive to the first photon-counting detector and single-scattering fluid property analysis logic responsive to the correlation logic and operative to derive at least one fluid property for the sample fluid.

The invention relates to a bioprocess container (10) having an optical measuring device (100) for non-invasive spectroscopic measurement comprising: a container housing (12), a port housing (102), which is connected to the container housing (12) and is sealed off with respect to the interior (18) of the container housing (12); at least one radiation-emitting element (124), which is designed to transmit electromagnetic radiation through the at least one fluid contained in the container housing (12); at least one radiation-receiving element (126), which is designed to at least partly receive the radiation which was transmitted by the radiation-emitting element (124); and at least one measuring insert (122), which holds and supports the at least one radiation-emitting element (124) and/or the at least one radiation-receiving element (126).

A system and method for the real time determination of microbial growth in or on perishable products. The system can predict the extent of microbial growth, e.g., whether food is spoiled, in real time by measuring chemicals released, e.g., CO.sub.2, from the perishable product during microbial growth. The output from a sensor can be correlated to the extent of microbial growth, i.e., spoilage, and provide information about the extent of microbial growth to the user, for example, through their smart devices.

A method of liquid characterisation using an optical characterisation system. The optical characterisation system comprises an optical element comprising a light source and light detector, and defining a light path extending between the light source and light detector. The detector resolves light intensities at varying wavelengths. The system also comprises a liquid container and a photonic crystal attached to the first container surface and facing the interior. The method comprises: recording a first transmission spectrum, wherein at least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path, and the interior intercepts the light path before the photonic crystal, and recording a second transmission spectrum. At least part of the first and second container surfaces, the interior containing liquid and the photonic crystal intercept the light path. The photonic crystal intercepts the light path before the interior.

An optical cell for performing light spectroscopy (including absorbance, fluorescence and scattering measurements) on a liquid sample in microfluidic devices is disclosed. The optical cell comprises an inlaid sheet having an opaque material inlaid in a clear material, and a sensing channel that crosses the clear material and the opaque material provides a fluidic path for the liquid sample and an optical path for probe light. Integral optical windows crossing a clear-opaque material interface permit light coupling into and out of the sensing channel, and thus light transmission through the sensing channel is almost entirely isolated from background light interference. A microfluidic chip comprising one or more optical cells is also disclosed. The optical cells may have different lengths of sensing channels, and may be optically and fluidly coupled. A method of manufacturing an optical cell in a microfluidic chip is also disclosed.

A cuvette comprising a pyramidal shaped cavity with four sides surfaces, which are connected to each other by curves, wherein side surfaces and curves merge into a transition area that is located above a ring followed by a cone above the bottom of the pyramidally shaped cavity.

Sample cells, light scattering detectors utilizing the sample cells, and methods for using the same are provided. The sample cell may include a body defining a flowpath extending axially therethrough. The flowpath may include a cylindrical inner section interposed between a first outer section and a second outer section. The first outer section may be frustoconical. A first end portion of the first outer section may be in direct fluid communication with the inner section and may have a cross-sectional area relatively smaller than a cross-sectional area at a second end portion thereof. The body may further define an inlet in direct fluid communication with the inner section. The inlet may be configured to direct a sample to the inner section of the flowpath.

A fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample positioned within a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. Furthermore, the lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.