System for conducting the identification of bacteria in urine

A system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms in fluid samples, comprising:

• a plurality of disposable cartridges for holding a plurality of disposable components including a tube for an unprocessed fluid sample;
• and an optical sample cup or cuvette;
• a sample processor for receiving the plurality of disposable cartridges and configured to prepare the fluid samples and to transfer the fluid samples into the respective optical sample cup or cuvette of each of the disposable cartridges;
• and
• an optical analyzer for receiving the plurality of the disposable cartridges and for analyzing the type and quantity of micro-organisms contained in the fluid samples the optical analyzer including an excitation unit and an optical collection unit positioned above the optical cup or cuvette
• wherein the optical cup or cuvette comprises a container into which a light travels from the excitation unit for the optical analysis of the fluid sample and a reflective surface for enhancing the optical analysis, said container having sidewalls that are continuously tapered along their length to a truncated conical end, wherein during optical analysis, the light is directed downwardly through an open portion of the container and into the fluid sample, wherein the tapered sidewalls are configured to assist with the optical analysis of the fluid sample and the reflective surface of the container reflects fluorescent emissions back in an upwardly direction out of the fluid sample and through the open portion of the container to the optical collection unit for optical analysis.