Method and apparatus for detecting a blood clot
US4797369A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/4905
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sample of whole blood or blood plasma is dispensed into two or more zones. The zones are separated and brought together repeatedly such that the blood sample is divided into multiple parts each associated with a zone. The parts are then rejoined into a single part and the process of separation continues. During the process, a liquid bridge between the separating parts is initially supported by surface tension but eventially collapses at the point of maximum zonal separation. When a fibrin clot is entrained within the rejoined part, it will align in a direction parallel to the direction of the relative motion between the zone. In this manner a thread appears between the parts as they are being separated. This thread is indicative of a clot which clot is capable of being detected by visual or electrical conductivity means. The apparatus depicted performs the above noted operations and automatically provides an output signal upon detection of the fibrin clot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.