A device for monitoring at least one parameter of a fluid specimen obtained from a patient. The device has a fluid conduit holder comprising a clamp configured to position a fluid conduit, which holds the fluid specimen obtained from the patient, in a position for optical analysis, and an optical analyzer having a light source and a light detector. The optical analyzer is configured to expose the fluid specimen contained within the fluid conduit to an illuminant and measure light received at the detector. The device has an optical alignment mechanism mechanically coupling the light source, the clamp, and the light detector together, and configured to align at least the light detector with the fluid conduit at the position for optical analysis.

Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensor components are provided. The sensor components interact with a sensor system having disposable fluid conduit or bioreactor bag and a reusable sensor assembly. The components can include an optical bench or inset optical component or module designed to be integrated within the disposable fluid conduit or bioreactor bag, which provides an optical light path through the conduit or bag. The sensors systems are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the disposable fluid conduit or bag and on the reusable sensor assembly. Methods for calibrating the sensor and for determining a target property of an unknown fluid are also disclosed. The devices, systems and methods relating to the sensor are suitable for and can be outfitted for turbidity sensing.

A body fluid analysis device that irradiates a body fluid in a tube having translucency with light and analyzes the body fluid on the basis of light having passed through the tube is adapted to include: a base; an attachment that is attached to the base 1 so that the tube is pinched in its radial direction between the attachment and the base; a light emitting element that is provided to the base or the attachment; and a light receiving element that is provided to the base or the attachment, in which in a state where the attachment is attached to the base, between the base and the attachment, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged so as to pinch the tube in the radial direction, or both of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in the base or the attachment.

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.

A flow cell assembly (16) for a fluid analyzer (14) that analyzes a sample (12) includes (i) a base (350) that includes a base window (350B); (ii) a cap (352) having a cap window (352B) that is spaced apart from the base window (350B); and (iii) a gasket (360) that is secured to and positioned between the base (350) and the cap (352), the gasket (360) having a gasket body (360A) that includes a gasket opening (360B). The gasket body (360A), the base (350) and the cap (352) cooperate to define a flow cell chamber (362). Moreover, an inlet passageway (366) extends into the flow cell chamber (362) to direct the sample (12) into the flow cell chamber (362); and an outlet passageway (368) extends into the flow cell chamber (362) to allow the sample (12) to exit the flow cell chamber (362).

Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensor components are provided. The sensor components interact with a sensor system having disposable fluid conduit or bioreactor bag and a reusable sensor assembly. The components can include an optical bench or inset optical component or module designed to be integrated within the disposable fluid conduit or bioreactor bag, which provides an optical light path through the conduit or bag. The sensors systems are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the disposable fluid conduit or bag and on the reusable sensor assembly. Methods for calibrating the sensor and for determining a target property of an unknown fluid are also disclosed. The devices, systems and methods relating to the sensor are suitable for and can be outfitted for turbidity sensing.

A method and system for determining an integrity of a container, including obtaining a pressure inside a container by producing, filling and/or sealing a container using heat or at cold conditions. Transmitting a light signal through a headspace of the container and determining, based on the transmitted light signal being detected, the integrity of the container.

An optical detection assembly for monitoring a biological fluid in a vessel includes two fluid-adjustment structures, which are spaced apart and configured to receive at least a portion of a biological fluid-containing vessel therebetween. A light source (which may be associated with one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to emit light through a thickness of the biological fluid in the vessel, while a light detector (which may be associated with the other one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source after it has passed through the biological fluid in the vessel. At least a portion of at least one of the fluid-adjustment structures is configured to move with respect to at least a portion of the other one so as to change the thickness of the biological fluid in the monitored portion of the vessel.

A system and method for measuring a concentration of a gas in a container having at least one flexible or variable side or wall. The system and method comprising creating a determinable optical path length through the container having a shape. Positioning a light source head and a detector head against at least one of the least one flexible or variable side or wall. Transmitting a light signal between the light source head and the detector head through the determinable optical path length. Determining the concentration of the gas in the container based on detected light and the determinable optical path length.

A container having at least one wall protrusion for mounting at least one sensor from the outside for sensing at least one variable of a medium contained in a container interior is provided. The wall protrusion can be arranged on a container wall and configured to at least partly extend around the container interior and the medium. The wall protrusion can include at least one sensor region that is configured so that the at least one variable can be sensed through the sensor region by means of the sensor.