Patent ID: 7820107

Claim:
A format for optical analysis of samples comprising: a light input; an input light guide in optical communication with said light input; an input reflector coupled with said input light guide for forming a portion of an optical communication path, said optical communication path being continuous and closed between said light input and said input reflector; an output reflector in optical communication with said input reflector; a sample cavity disposed between said input reflector and said output reflector; a lancet in communication with said sample cavity; an output light guide coupled with said output reflector for forming a portion of said optical communication path; and a light output, said optical communication path being continuous and closed between said light output and said output reflector, wherein said light input, said input light guide, said input reflector, said sample cavity, said output reflector, said output light guide, and said light output comprise said optical communication path, and wherein each of said input light guide and said output light guide is formed by a respective wall structure to assist in guiding light along said optical communication path, each of said wall structures including a respective first end and a respective second end, said second end of said input light guide being coupled with said input reflector and said second end of said output light guide being coupled with said output reflector for forming respective portions of said optical communication path, said format further comprising a lid disposed approximately parallel to said optical communication path, wherein the format further includes a reagent therein, said lancet being adapted to collect and deposit test material within said sample cavity such that said test material is positioned to interact with said reagent.