Patent ID: 6995844
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A multi-channel photometric analysis system for determining optical characteristics of analytes in sets of liquid samples containing water and analyte, the system comprising: a sample holder for holding the sets of samples in one or more substantially vertical optical channels, wherein the samples have unknown optical pathlengths and absorbances; a light source which transmits light substantially vertically through the samples, wherein the light comprises a calibration wavelength and an analyte-measuring wavelength, wherein the calibration wavelength is within the near infrared wavelength region of from 750–2500 nanometers and provides a calibration light signal value for each sample, wherein the calibration light signal values are related to the absorption of the water in the samples and the optical pathlengths through the samples and wherein the analyte-measuring wavelength provides an analyte light signal value related to the concentration of analyte present in each sample; a detector for determining measured light signal values from light transmitted through each sample at the calibration wavelength and the analyte-measuring wavelength; a means for determining from the calibration light signal values correction factors related to the optical pathlength through each sample; a means for determining from the correction factors and the analyte light signal values, ratios relating the analyte signal values to the optical pathlength through each sample.