A micro-flow cytometer system (100, 200) for handling at least one disposable cartridge for determination of a medical condition, the system comprising: a) a multi-sectioned disposable cartridge adapted to have all sample manipulations and flow to occur therein, said cartridge adapted to receive a volume of a body fluid, said cartridge comprising a plurality of sections comprising: i. a body fluid aspiration section adapted to receive the body fluid directly or indirectly from a patient; ii. a pre-analytical sample processing section (154, 652) adapted to perform at least one preparatory step to form a pre-treated sample; iii. a sample excitation/interaction section in which optical radiation is passed to said pre-treated sample; iv. a capillary region adapted to pass particles of said pre-treated sample in single file manner from said pre-analytical sample processing section past the radiation; and v. a spent sample disposal section; b) an epi-optical optics unit requiring only single sided access to the detection region of the cartridge, the unit comprising: i. an excitation illumination adapted to convey radiation via a first pathway to said pre-treated sample via a pathway; ii. a multi-spectral emission detector adapted to sample the spectral emission in spectral bands; and iii. one of a photon counter and an integrator; and c) a computer comprising a software element for analyzing photon counter output; and d) a multi-spectral fluorescence signal processor comprising detecting elements for measuring optical outputs of multi-spectral emission detector; wherein said excitation illumination and said multi-spectral emission detector are disposed on the same side of said cartridge; and wherein said optics unit is adapted to receive and detect via a portion of said pathway a plurality of spectrally distinct signals generated by interaction of said radiation and said pre-treated sample in said sample excitation/interaction section, wherein said computer is adapted to receive data related to said plurality of spectrally distinct signals and wherein said processor is adapted to process this data, thereby determining said medical condition. a) a multi-sectioned disposable cartridge adapted to have all sample manipulations and flow to occur therein, said cartridge adapted to receive a volume of a body fluid, said cartridge comprising a plurality of sections comprising: i. a body fluid aspiration section adapted to receive the body fluid directly or indirectly from a patient; ii. a pre-analytical sample processing section (154, 652) adapted to perform at least one preparatory step to form a pre-treated sample; iii. a sample excitation/interaction section in which optical radiation is passed to said pre-treated sample; iv. a capillary region adapted to pass particles of said pre-treated sample in single file manner from said pre-analytical sample processing section past the radiation; and v. a spent sample disposal section; i. a body fluid aspiration section adapted to receive the body fluid directly or indirectly from a patient; ii. a pre-analytical sample processing section (154, 652) adapted to perform at least one preparatory step to form a pre-treated sample; iii. a sample excitation/interaction section in which optical radiation is passed to said pre-treated sample; iv. a capillary region adapted to pass particles of said pre-treated sample in single file manner from said pre-analytical sample processing section past the radiation; and v. a spent sample disposal section; b) an epi-optical optics unit requiring only single sided access to the detection region of the cartridge, the unit comprising: i. an excitation illumination adapted to convey radiation via a first pathway to said pre-treated sample via a pathway; ii. a multi-spectral emission detector adapted to sample the spectral emission in spectral bands; and iii. one of a photon counter and an integrator; and i. an excitation illumination adapted to convey radiation via a first pathway to said pre-treated sample via a pathway; ii. a multi-spectral emission detector adapted to sample the spectral emission in spectral bands; and iii. one of a photon counter and an integrator; and c) a computer comprising a software element for analyzing photon counter output; and d) a multi-spectral fluorescence signal processor comprising detecting elements for measuring optical outputs of multi-spectral emission detector; wherein said excitation illumination and said multi-spectral emission detector are disposed on the same side of said cartridge; and wherein said optics unit is adapted to receive and detect via a portion of said pathway a plurality of spectrally distinct signals generated by interaction of said radiation and said pre-treated sample in said sample excitation/interaction section, wherein said computer is adapted to receive data related to said plurality of spectrally distinct signals and wherein said processor is adapted to process this data, thereby determining said medical condition.