Patent ID: 7927561
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. An optical instrument for the analysis of an analyte contained in a fluid sample, comprising: A sample holder containing a sample chamber having a volume of less than about 100 μl and containing a detection region having a vertical depth of less than about 100 μm wherein said top surface said chamber over said detection region is optically clear, and wherein the depth of the sample chamber in said detection region is less than the depth of the sample chamber outside the detection region; A focusing magnet having a tapered pole piece, wherein said pole piece is tapered to less that about 100 μm; wherein said focusing magnet is position below said detection region of said sample chamber; An excitation light source adapted to illuminate said detection region through said optically clear top surface of said sample chamber over said detection region; Detection optics adapted to detect light emitted from said detection region through said optically clear top surface of said sample chamber over said detection region and produce a signal corresponding to the amount of light detected.