Clot retractometer
US4986964A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2203/0089
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An instrument for measuring the internal force characteristics of a blood sample (12) during clotting has been developed. The blood sample (12) is held between a cup (10) and a plate (16). The plate (16) is connected to a force displacement transducer (22). As the clot forms, platelets contract and exert an inward pulling force on the plate (16). This inward pulling force is sensed by the transducer (22) which outputs a corresponding voltage signal. The voltage signal is amplified (24) and recorded on strip chart paper (28). The voltage signal (32) can be directly translated into force parameters by first calibrating the instrument with standard weights. It has been found that the maximum force measurements are obtained under controlled temperature, ionic strength and calcium concentration conditions which approximate those of the blood while in the body. A particular feature of the invention includes a water jacket (14) which is used to maintain the temperature of the blood sample (12) at 37.degree. C. (body temperature).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.