Device for analyzing a fluid medium

A self-contained, immersible device for analyzing a fluid medium, comprising:

• a fluid-tight housing;
• an opening in the housing, the opening being closed by a membrane, the membrane having a first outer surface and a second inner surface and being formed to allow transfer of ions and molecules between the surfaces, the first outer surface being for contacting the medium;
• channel defining means in the housing, the channel defining means being joined to the membrane to define at least one flow channel delimited by the second inner surface of the membrane and by the channel defining means;
• a carrier fluid reservoir within the housing, the carrier fluid reservoir holding a carrier fluid;
• carrier pump means within the housing, the carrier pump means being coupled to said flow channel to generate a flow of carrier fluid through the flow channel to allow transfer of ions and molecules between the medium and the carrier fluid across the membrane, whereby the flow of carrier fluid is transformed into a flow of sample fluid;
• a reaction channel within the housing, the reaction channel being formed to receive the flow of sample fluid;
• at least one reagent reservoir within the housing, the reagent reservoir holding a reagent fluid;
• at least one reagent pump means within the housing, the reagent pump means being coupled to the reaction channel to deliver a flow of reagent fluid to the reaction channel;
• a detecting device within the housing, the detecting device being coupled to the reaction channel for detecting a reaction product and for generating a corresponding detection signal;
• and
• at least one waste reservoir within the housing, the waste reservoir being coupled to receive fluid from the reaction channel.