TruFluor™ Sensors

TruFluor sensors are based on phase fluorimetry and measure either dissolved oxygen and temperature, or pH and temperature. A TruFluor sensor comprises a single-use sheath that contains the active sensor material, an optical reader, a cable, and a transmitter.

The transmitter integrates the signal processing, power conversion, 4-20 mA output signal generation, and user interface functions in one package.

TruFluor Single-Use Sheath
The disposable sheath comprises an optical window that supports the active spot material, as well as stainless steel thermal window used for measuring temperature. All materials used in the sheath design are USP Class IV compliant. The sheaths have been tested at an independent laboratory and have been demonstrated to pass all requirements for leachables and extractables. Each sheath has a corresponding RFID tag that gives serial numbers of its materials certificate records and calibration history and a URL for the Finesse web page where the certificates can be found.

TruFluor Reader
The optical reader utilizes a visible LED and a large area photodiode with integrated optical filtering, that minimizes photo-degradation of the acting sensing element. The design has been optimized to provide accurate in-situ measurement of dissolved oxygen or pH using phase fluorometric detection in real time.

The electrical temperature sensor utilizes the 316L stainless steel thermal window embedded in the sheath and provides a highly accurate temperature measurement that can be used as a process variable.

TruFluor Transmitter

The TruFluor transmitter look and feel was based on the TruCell2 and TruTrans™ family of transmitters for life science applications. The TruFluor transmitter has a rugged, weatherproof, corrosion resistant enclosure (NEMA 4X). The panel mount version fits standard ½ DIN panel cutouts, and its shallow depth is ideally suited for easy mounting in cabinet-type enclosures.

There are two levels of access (operator and technician). The access level setting determines whether both, neither, or only the technician level require using a password to log into the transmitter. Only the technician level has access to setup menus.

The transmitter has a RFID reader that allows automatic entry of calibration and manufacturing data for each disposable sheath used. Diagnostics such as the “LED test” or “transmitter health test” warn the user of an aging or failed TruFluor reader or electronics. All transmitter, reader and sheath configuration settings are recovered automatically from non-volatile EEPROM when power is restored after a power failure.