Clot protection and detection algorithm for activated clotting time testing
US10371694B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/86
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Activated clotting time (ACT) tests detect blood clotting time based on the viscosity changes of a test sample, using a ferromagnetic washer lifted to the top of a test chamber and then dropped from the top via gravity; a drop time greater than a preset threshold value indicates clotting of the test sample. Blood samples which have high levels of heparin usually produce very weak clots that may easily be destroyed by the lifting movement of the washer. But if the clot threshold is set low to detect the weak clots, false detections occur during early testing cycles when activators are not fully suspended during the mixing cycle. Improved algorithms for lifting the washer and adjusting over time enable accurate detection of weak clots.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.