Patent ID: 8196455
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument, comprising: (a) a base component; (b) a lid component; (c) a sample chamber formed from a recess area of the base component or the lid component and, when in use, comprising a sensor having a sensing surface, a signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at the sensing surface thereof; and (d) at least one channel—for the ingress of a sample fluid, in the—recessed area, and wherein the base component and the lid component having substantially rigid portions are limited on assembly of the sensor element when in use, by the substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.