Analytical evaluation of aqueous liquid media with sample monitoring structure having size-sensitive fluorescent hydrogel

An analytical system for analytical evaluation of at least one property of an aqueous liquid medium, the analytical system comprising:

• a sample monitoring structure comprising a fluorescently-labeled hydrogel that changes in size in response to a change in at least one property of an aqueous liquid medium in contact with the fluorescently-labeled hydrogel, and in response to stimulation radiation the sample monitoring structure has a fluorescent emission that changes in intensity with changes in the size of the fluorescently-labeled hydrogel;
• an investigation zone configured to receive the liquid medium in contact with the sample monitoring structure for analytical evaluation of the liquid medium;
• a radiation delivery system configured to provide the stimulation radiation to impinge on the sample monitoring structure for investigation of the liquid medium in the investigation zone;
• and
• a radiation detection system configured to detect response radiation for the fluorescent emission from the sample monitoring structure.

A product for use in monitoring an aqueous fluid sample during flow cytometry evaluation of the fluid sample, the product comprising:

• a plurality of beads for inclusion in an aqueous liquid medium of an aqueous fluid sample to monitor the fluid sample during flow cytometry evaluation, the beads having a fluorescent emission when subjected to a stimulation radiation during flow cytometry, and each said bead comprising:
• a non-hydrogel core and a shell layer of fluorescently-labeled hydrogel surrounding the core;
• wherein the fluorescently-labeled hydrogel changes in size in response to a change in at least one property of the aqueous fluid sample;
• and
• wherein an intensity of the fluorescent emission from the bead changes with changes in the size of the fluorescently-labeled hydrogel.