Assay particle concentration and imaging apparatus and method

An assay apparatus comprising:

• a sample vessel;
• a holder configured to operatively receive the sample vessel;
• a magnet operatively associated with the sample vessel holder such that a magnetic field intersects with a portion of the sample vessel defining a magnetic concentration region;
• and
• a spectrometer operatively associated with the sample vessel such that the focus of the spectrometer is within the magnetic concentration region.

A method of performing an assay comprising:

• associating magnetic capture particles with detection particles in a sample vessel;
• placing the sample vessel in a holder configured to receive the sample vessel and hold it in a select relationship with a magnet associated with the holder;
• magnetically concentrating the magnetic capture particles in a concentration region of the sample vessel;
• removing the sample vessel from the holder;
• placing the sample vessel in a spectrometer configured to operatively receive the sample vessel such that the focus of the spectrometer is within the magnetic concentration region;
• and
• obtaining a spectrum from the magnetic concentration region.

A method of performing an assay comprising:

• associating magnetic capture particles with detection particles in a sample vessel;
• placing the sample vessel in a holder configured to receive the sample vessel and hold it in a select relationship with a magnet associated with the holder;
• magnetically concentrating the magnetic capture particles in a concentration region of the sample vessel;
• obtaining a spectrum from the magnetic concentration region with a spectrometer operatively associated with the sample vessel such that the focus of the spectrometer is within the magnetic concentration region.

A method of performing an assay comprising:

• associating magnetic capture particles with detection particles in a sample reservoir in fluid communication with a capillary tube;
• placing the sample reservoir and capillary tube in a holder configured to receive the sample reservoir and capillary tube and hold it in a select relationship with a magnet associated with the holder;
• magnetically concentrating the magnetic capture particles in a concentration region of the capillary tube;
• and
• obtaining a spectrum from the magnetic concentration region with a spectrometer operatively associated with the capillary tube such that the focus of the spectrometer is within the magnetic concentration region.