Patent ID: 7491366

Claim:
A portable multi-channel device for optically testing of a liquid sample, comprising: a sample holder having a sample compartment that holds the liquid sample; a turbidity channel that measures turbidity of the liquid sample; a second channel that measures one other optical property of the liquid sample, the turbidity channel and the second channel each including: a light source placed at a first end of the channel; a main detector positioned to receive light emitted by the light source that is transmitted through the sample compartment and the liquid sample; a reference detector that measures an intensity of the light emitted by the light source; an excitation focusing optic that directs light emitted by the light source into the sample compartment; a sample focusing optic that directs transmitted, scattered or fluorescent light from the sample compartment to a second end of the channel; an attenuation chamber that attenuates light therein having the reference detector placed at one end, the attenuation chamber connected at 90 degrees at another end thereof to a section of the channel between the light source and the excitation focusing optic; a mirror, placed at the second end of the channel, with a reflecting surface tilted 45 degrees from a vertical axis of the sample compartment such that transmitted, scattered or fluorescent light from the sample focusing optic is directed toward the main detector; and; a chamber having the main detector placed at one end and connected at 90 degrees at another end thereof to a section of the channel having the reflecting surface of the mirror; and a controller that processes signals from the reference detector of the turbidity channel, the main detector of the turbidity channel, and the main detector of the second channel perpendicular to the turbidity channel to evaluate the turbidity of the liquid sample, and that processes signals from the reference detector of the second channel and the main detector of the second channel to evaluate the one other optical property of the liquid sample.