A heater for a window of an optical gas sensor is provided. The heater may be
positioned
over a portion of the window or may form at least a portion of the window. Alternatively,
the heater may be separate from the optical gas sensor and positionable (e.g.,
by a transducer) over the window either in contact therewith or in close proximity
thereto. The heater may be substantially transparent to the relevant wavelengths
of electromagnetic radiation that are used in optical (e.g., infrared or luminescence
quenching) monitoring of respiratory gases, anesthetic agents, or the like. Alternatively,
the heater may be configured so as to provide a substantially unobstructed optical
pathway through the window. Optical gas sensors and complementary transducers that
include the healer are also disclosed.
