Integrated light interrogation modules and methods of use thereof

A flow cytometer comprising:

• a light source;
• a fiber optic light conveyor optically coupled to the light source;
• and
• an integrated light interrogation module comprising:
• a flow cell comprising a light-accessible flow channel for transporting particles in a flow stream;
• a focusing optical assembly integrated with the flow cell;
• and
• a connector for operably attaching the fiber optic light conveyor to the focusing optical assembly, wherein the focusing optical assembly is configured to project excitation wavelength light from the fiber optic light conveyor onto a focal spot of the flow cell when the fiber optic light conveyor is operably attached to the connector.

A method of analyzing a sample, the method comprising:

• (a) introducing a biological sample into a flow cytometer comprising:
• a light source;
• a fiber optic light conveyor optically coupled to the light source;
• and
• an integrated light interrogation module comprising:
• a flow cell comprising a light-accessible flow channel for transporting particles in a flow stream;
• a focusing optical assembly integrated with the flow cell;
• and
• a connector for operably attaching a fiber optic light conveyor to the focusing optical assembly, wherein the focusing optical assembly is configured to project excitation wavelength light from the fiber optic light conveyor onto a focal spot of the flow cell when the fiber optic light conveyor is operably attached to the connector;
• and
• (b) flow cytometrically analyzing the sample.