Patent ID: 6856390

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting analytes in a sample, comprising: a channel-defining member defining at least one channel therein having a detection zone; a separating system coupled to the at least one channel for separating a sample containing analytes into analyte bands migrating along the at least one channel, wherein each analyte band is detectable by the presence of a corresponding marker; at least one irradiation source for emitting non-coherent radiation and disposed for irradiating the detection zone of the at least one channel to thereby excite markers responsive to the radiation and which emit light signals indicative of corresponding analytes; a detector array disposed for collecting the light signals produced by the markers and for producing charges corresponding to the light signals, the detector array having an output; modulating optics for modulating light between the at least one irradiation source and the detector array; and a time delay integration system for effecting, within the detector array, an accumulation of charges corresponding to light signals associated with at least one given analyte band before reading accumulated charges at the output of the detector array, the accumulation being effected during an integration time of the at least one given analyte band moving at least partially across the detection zone.