Light and shutter for a sample analyzer

A method of analyzing as assay sample, comprising:

• operating a sample analyzer comprising:
• a support for an assay sample vessel having a sample reservoir containing an assay sample;
• a detector having an optical axis aligned with the assay sample reservoir, so as to detect a luminescence of the assay sample;
• a shutter assembly positioned between the detector and the support and intersecting the optical axis, the shutter assembly having:
• a first shutter blade with a first light transmitting aperture therein and an illuminator thereon;
• and
• a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade, the second shutter blade having a second light transmitting aperture therein, the first and second shutter blades supported to allow parallel linear motion;
• wherein the first and second shutter blades are moveable linearly in opposite directions between a measuring position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and an illumination position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another and the illuminator is proximate the assay sample reservoir such that the illuminator causes luminescence of the assay sample;
• supporting the assay sample vessel containing the assay sample;
• operating the shutter assembly to cause the first and second shutter blades to reach and maintain the illumination position;
• illuminating the assay sample to cause luminescence;
• operating the shutter assembly to cause the first and second shutter blades to reach and maintain the measuring position;
• and
• measuring the luminescence.

A shutter assembly, comprising:

• a first shutter blade having a first toothed arm extending therefrom, a first light transmitting aperture therein, and an illuminator thereon;
• a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade, the second shutter blade having a second toothed arm extending therefrom and a second light transmitting aperture therein, the first and second shutter blades supported to allow parallel linear motion;
• and
• a motor having a gear disposed between, and meshed with, the first and second toothed arms such that rotation of the gear causes the first and second shutter blades to move linearly in opposite directions between an open measuring position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and a closed illumination position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another and the illuminator is positioned to illuminate away from the second shutter blade.