Patent ID: 6911344

Claim:
A fluorescence assay, comprising: providing a waveguide which is optically conductive and which has at least one surface having a plurality of capture oligonucleotides immobilized site-specifically to substantially all regions of the at least one surface having a base coating thereon, the base coating being located only on portions of the at least one surface, wherein the capture oligonucleotides have a binding site which selectively binds a selected analyte; providing a light source operable to emit a light beam in a desired wavelength range and positioned to send light into the waveguide; providing a detection element operably disposed to directly collect radiated fluorescence emitted from molecules located adjacent to a surface of the waveguide; providing a sample comprising a buffer and a plurality of molecules of a selected analyte; providing a plurality of tracer molecules which are operable to emit fluorescence in response to stimulation by an evanescent field adjacent to a surface of the waveguide; combining the sample with the tracer molecules to produce a test solution; placing the test solution in contact with the waveguide surface while operating the light source to direct light into the waveguide to generate the evanescent field; and selectively and directly collecting radiated fluorescent light emitted from the tracer molecules.