Patent ID: 8173417

Claim:
An apparatus for processing a sample of biomolecular analyte, the apparatus comprising: a test module comprising a transparent material that allows at least a part of an energy source to interact with the sample disposed within the test module and at least one channel in fluid communication with the sample; a holder for supporting the test module; an electrophoresis device connected to the holder and for providing energy to the test module; a light source for emitting a light beam that excites fluorescence in the sample of biomolecular analyte; a light detector; a plurality of optical devices rigidly mounted to a base plate formed from a single piece of material, the optical devices disposed on the base plate to transmit the light beam emitted by the light source to the test module and from the test module to the light detector, the base plate being supported by a frame including a damping device to reduce transmission of vibrations generated below the frame to the base plate, and a lanefinding component for automatically determining a location of the at least one channel disposed within the test module.