Patent · US Expired

Microprocessor-controlled apparatus and method for detecting the coagulation of blood

US5154082A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 1991
Grant dateOct 13, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 20, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N33/4905
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and method for detecting the coagulation of a sample of blood includes a ferromagnetic member, which is immersed in the blood sample and which is magnetically coupled to a reed switch, and an adjustable source of magnetic flux lines, which is also magnetically coupled to the reed switch. As the blood sample coagulates, the ferromagnetic member is displaced from the reed switch and, as a result, the magnetic field coupled to reed switch is reduced. When the ferromagnetic member reaches a predetermined displacement, the reed switch is open, which indicates that blood has coagulated. A microprocessor calibrates the reed switch by adjusting the density of the magnetic flux lines from the adjustable source such that the reed switch is open when the ferromagnetic member reaches the predetermined distance displacement.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.