Optura Spy from Aber Instruments is a state-of-the-art measuring device for the optical determination of cell concentration in bioreactors. By measuring the reflection of transmitted light, the system can continually monitor the biomass on-line and in real time. Detection uses the near-infrared light range and is contact-free. The Optura Spy is attached to the outer wall of the bioreactor or shaking flask using an adapter.  The probe can be used on glass or plastic vessels with a wall thickness of up to 4.3 mm, and offers a measurement range of 0.03 to 600 at an OD of 600. With a measuring depth of maximum 3 cm, the device is also suited for smaller-volume vessels.

Optura Spy results can be calibrated using off-line measurements. The calibration curves generated in this manner can be saved in the software and used for future runs. Optura Spy reliably measures in areas of low and high cell concentration, and is characterized by precise, highly linear result curves.

Another feature of Optura Spy is that the measurement results are not distorted by the effect of ambient light. Coloured media additives have no impact on the quality of detection and a bubble filter algorithm actively removes any background noise resulting from bubble formation. Optura Spy is a reliable solution for fast, contact-free monitoring of biomasses in biotechnology processes.