Patent ID: 8829473

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a channel configured to receive a sample container, the housing defining a detection volume configured to place the channel in communication with a detector, the housing including a first seal surface and a second seal surface, a first portion of the sample container and the first seal surface configured to isolate the detection volume from a volume outside of the housing when a second portion of the sample container is disposed within the detection volume; and a shutter having a portion movably disposed within the housing between a first shutter position and a second shutter position, the shutter defining a port configured to receive at least one of a light source or a light guide, a seal surface of the shutter and the second seal surface configured to isolate the detection volume from the channel of the housing when shutter is in the first shutter position, the port in communication with the detection volume when the shutter is in the first shutter position, the channel of the housing being in communication with the detection volume when the shutter is in the second shutter position, the port being isolated from the detection volume when the shutter is in the second shutter position.