System and method for optically monitoring the concentration of a gas, or the pressure, in a sample vial to detect sample growth

A system for monitoring pressure in at least one container, comprising:

• an energy emitting device, adapted to emit an energy signal toward said container, said energy signal having a substantially single wavelength that is substantially equal to a wavelength at which a gas in said container absorbs said energy signal;
• a detector, adapted to detect a portion of said energy signal that passes through said container;
• and
• a signal analyzer, adapted to analyze said detected portion of said energy signal to determine a pressure in said container.

A method for monitoring the concentration of a gas in at least one container, comprising the steps of:

• emitting an energy signal toward said container, said energy signal having a substantially single wavelength that is substantially equal to a wavelength at which said gas absorbs said energy signal;
• detecting a portion of said energy signal that passes through said container;
• and
• analyzing said detected portion of said energy signal to determine whether said gas exists in said container.

A method for monitoring pressure in at least one container, comprising the steps of:

• emitting an energy signal toward said container, said energy signal having a substantially single wavelength that is substantially equal to a wavelength at which a gas in said container absorbs said energy signal;
• detecting a portion of said energy signal that passes through said container;
• and
• analyzing said detected portion of said energy signal to determine a pressure in said container.