Patent ID: 8889347

Claim:
A system for performing a bioassay where one or more analytes are exposed to a plurality of magnetically responsive particles to form a sample, comprising: a sample container for holding a sample; an imaging chamber, where: the imaging chamber has a first interior surface and a second interior surface and the first interior surface is opposite the second interior surface; and the imaging chamber is configured for receiving a portion of the sample comprising a plurality of magnetically responsive particles; a sample valve coupled to the sample container, a reservoir, and the imaging chamber, where the sample valve is capable of being placed in a first position that creates a fluid connection between the sample container and the reservoir and a second position that creates a fluid connection between the reservoir and the imaging chamber; a pump configured to convey the sample from the sample container to the reservoir and from the reservoir to the imaging chamber; a magnet outside the imaging chamber and configured to be selectively positioned proximate to the first interior surface of the imaging chamber such that the plurality of magnetically responsive particles are substantially dispersed in a monolayer on the first interior surface of the imaging chamber; an illumination source outside the imaging chamber and positioned to provide light that passes through the second interior surface of the imaging chamber before reaching the first interior surface of the imaging chamber; a photosensitive detector outside the imaging chamber and configured to detect light exiting the imaging chamber through the second interior surface; and a processor programmed to: cause the sample valve to be placed in the first position; cause the pump to convey, using suction, the sample from the sample container through the sample valve and into the reservoir; cause the sample valve to be placed in the second position; cause the pump to convey the sample from the reservoir to the imaging chamber; cause the magnet to move from a first position to a second position, where the second position is closer to the first interior surface of the imaging chamber than the first position; cause the illumination source to illuminate the sample; cause the photosensitive detector to detect light emitted from the sample; cause the magnet to move from the second position to the first position; and cause the pump to convey the sample out of the imaging chamber.