BLOOD COAGULOMETER AND METHOD

摘要

An apparatus for determining blood clotting capacity comprises an actuator to cyclically move a member within a sample of blood received in a well in a tray and one of a deflection sensor and a position sensor to determine the position of the wetted member upon being acted upon by the actuator. The theoretical position of the wetted member, as determined using a known actuator force and wetted member physical data, is compared to the sensed deflection or position of the wetted member, and the resistance to movement of the wetted member caused by the blood is determined and correlated to a clotting capacity.

主权项

1. An apparatus to measure clotting in a blood sample, comprising:
a tray; a well in the tray to receive a sample of the blood; a support beam connected at a first end to the tray and connected at a second end to a wetted member to support the wetted member at least partially within the well; a linear motor connected between the tray and the support beam and activatable by application of an electrical current to impart a force, corresponding in magnitude to the applied current, on the support beam to move the support beam relative to the tray and to thereby move the wetted member within the well; and a deflection sensor coupled to the tray to measure the deflection of the support beam resulting from resistance to movement of the wetted member imparted by the sample of blood received in the well; wherein the measured deflection of the support beam resulting from the resistance to movement of the wetted member within the sample of blood in the well is correlated to a capacity of the blood to clot.