Low volume assay apparatus

摘要

Apparatus (1) for determining a property of a sample. The apparatus has a chamber (11, 13) for receiving at least a part of the sample and contains a rotor (15) adapted to rotate within the chamber (11, 13). The apparatus (1) also has a space (17) between the rotor (15) and the chamber (11, 13) which may be at least partially occupied by the sample, driving means (14) for rotating the rotor (15), and a detector (39) arranged to detect the rate of rotation of the rotor (15). The apparatus may also have two parts, a sample strip (5) for receiving the sample and a receiving member (3) for receiving the sample strip (5) and carrying out measurements on the sample. The rotor (15) may be magnetized across its diameter. The driving means (14) may be a magnetic driving means. The sample may be a blood sample. The property to be determined by the sample may be the prothrombin time of the blood or plasma.

主权项

1. Apparatus for determining a property of a sample comprising:
a sample strip including a chamber for receiving at least a part of the sample, a cylindrical rotor that is contained within the chamber, said rotor being arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis, said rotor having a substantially circular cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to and centered about said longitudinal axis, the rotor and the chamber cooperating to define a space therebetween which may be at least partially occupied by the sample, said rotor comprising a permanent magnet which is magnetized across its diameter, said sample strip further including a conduit that leads to the chamber and enables the chamber to be filled with the sample; a magnetic drive arranged to drive the rotor; and a detector arranged to measure the rate of rotation of the rotor within the chamber.