Patent ID: 7416700

Claim:
A fluorometer for taking fluorometric readings of a sample, comprising: an optical energy source for exciting an assay device carrying the sample by irradiating the assay device with optical energy; an optical flattener for receiving the optical energy from the optical energy source and for producing increased uniformity in the distributed beam pattern of the optical energy source irradiating the assay device; an optical energy detector for detecting energy emitted from the excited assay device due to the irradiation; an assay mechanism for receiving the assay device carrying the sample, the assay mechanism comprising drive electronics for positioning the assay device with respect to the optical energy source and the optical energy detector, allowing at least one of a plurality of assay zones or regions to be tested; and a processor for controlling the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from a given zone or plurality of zones in order to determine test results.