WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
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`CLAIMS
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`1.
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`A method of detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample fluid contained in a container
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`comprising:
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`(a)
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`illuminating the container along a first region having a first path length to yield a first
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`measurement of light intensity transmitted across the first path length;
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`(b)
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`moving the sample fluid to another region in the container having another path length if the first
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`measurement falls outside a predetermined dynamic range of transmitted light intensity;
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`(c)
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`illuminating the container along the another region to yield another measurement of light intensity
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`transmitted across the another path length; and optionally
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`(d)
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`repeating steps (b) and (c) until a measurement of light intensity falls within the predetermined
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`dynamic range, thereby detecting the presence or concentration of the analyte.
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`The method of claim 1, further comprising deconvoluting a line scan of the image, thereby detecting the
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`presence or concentration of an analyte.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is moved from a first region of the container having a first path
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`length to a second region of the container having another path length by aspirating the sample.
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`The method of claim 3 wherein an end of the container is attached to a pipette which is configured to aspirate
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`the sample.
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`The method of claim 3 wherein the sample is moved up or down the length of the container.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the container is a pipette tip.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the container is conically shaped.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the container has two open ends.
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`The method of claim 8, wherein a first open end has a greater diameter than a second open end.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the container has a plurality of distinct widths to permit transmission of light
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`along a plurality of varying path lengths.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein the container volume is less than 100 microliters.
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`The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of distinct path lengths are imaged simultaneously.
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`A method of measuring an analyte concentration in a sample fluid comprising:
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`(a)
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`providing the sample contained in a container dimensioned with a plurality of distinct widths to
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`permit transmission of light along a plurality of varying path lengths that correspond to the plurality of
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`distinct widths;
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`(b)
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`(c)
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`illuminating the container along at least one of the plurality of path lengths; and
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`imaging the container to measure a first light intensity transmitted across said at least one of the
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`plurality of path lengths, for the determination of the concentration of the analyte based on the measured
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`FOWNQF"
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`10.
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`11.
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`12.
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`13.
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`first light intensity.
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`14.
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`The method of claim 13, further comprising:
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`4752259
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`-1 12-
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`WSGR Docket No. 30696—733201
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