Patent ID: 8817259

Claim:
A sensor for measuring one or more properties of a fluid, comprising: (a) a reusable sensor assembly including a housing supporting a source of electromagnetic radiation and a detector for measuring electromagnetic radiation, the source of electromagnetic radiation generates and directs electromagnetic radiation; a disposable flow cell, the disposable flow cell and reusable sensor assembly being configured to dock together, the disposable flow cell comprising a conduit or container having an interior that contains the fluid when in use, an exterior, an optically clear portion located between the interior and exterior of said conduit or container, and an optical inset component including at least one reflective surface at least partially within the conduit or container; whereby electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source of the reusable sensor assembly, when docked with the disposable flow cell, reflects off said reflective surface of the disposable flow cell that directs the electromagnetic radiation along a path that is initially generally parallel to the optically clear portion, then reflects off one or more particulates of the fluid when located in the interior of said conduit or container, and thereafter passes through said optically clear portion and to said electromagnetic radiation detector of the reusable sensor assembly.