Patent ID: 7843566

Claim:
Apparatus for the detection or determination of a target comprising a target compound, a derivatised target compound or target compound-stimulated moiety, said apparatus comprising: means for mounting a sample cartridge, which sample cartridge comprises a packing or coating capable of immobilising or isolating the target in a layer or band, an excitation unit for emitting radiation that excites fluorescent radiation in the target, a detection unit that is sensitive to said fluorescence, and means for scanning the target with the detection unit, said means for scanning including means for relatively moving the mounting means and the detection unit whereby the fluorescent radiation from the target may be sensed, said means for relatively moving the mounting means and the detection unit comprising means for relatively moving the mounting means and the detection unit in such a manner as to scan the detection unit past all of the target, whereby the extent of the fluorescing target and the total fluorescence may be determined.