Patent ID: 8716007

Claim:
An apparatus for performing a fluorescence assay on a sample contained between a pair of optical windows disposed on a common optical path through a microassay cartridge, the paired windows defining a detection chamber therebetween, the first window of the pair defining a first aspect of the microassay cartridge, the second window of the pair defining a second aspect of the microassay cartridge, the second window having a compliant, optically transparent and thermally conductive film sealed thereover, the apparatus comprising: a) a housing adapted for receiving the microassay cartridge; b) a scanning detector head with one or more optical channels, each optical channel having an excitation light source, an objective lens for directing the excitation light into the detection chamber and for receiving fluorescence emissions therefrom, and a emissions sensor for detecting the fluorescence emissions and outputting a voltage in response thereto, wherein the scanning detector head is enabled to scan in a series of spatially resolved steps across the detection chamber; and, c) a variable temperature heating block mounted in the housing, the heating block having a top face that is optically flat and mirrored, wherein the mirrored face is configured to reflect fluorescent emissions exiting the second window back into the objective lens while controlling the temperature of the detection chamber, and wherein the heating block is rigidly mounted to a baseplate in the housing and a docking saddle is rigidly supported on the baseplate above the heating block, the docking saddle operably supporting a floating stage, the floating stage comprising a docking bay for receiving the removable cartridge and a spring suspension configured to contact the removable cartridge against the mirrored face of the heating block.