Ultrasonic coagulation timer
First Claim
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1. A method of measuring the coagulation time of a solution containing whole blood or blood plasma, comprising:
- directing ultrasound toward said solution and receiving the scattered ultrasound;
mixing a predetermined quantity of thrombin with said solution;
examining the scattered ultrasound for an indication that said solution has coagulated; and
measuring the elapsed tine between the mixing of thrombin with said solution and the coagulation of said solution.
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Abstract
A system for measuring the coagulation time of plasma or whole blood. A solution containing the blood sample is irradiated with pulsed ultrasound, and the back-scattered ultrasound is continuously measured. A predetermined quantity of thrombin is then added to the solution, causing the amplitude of the backscattered ultrasound to fluctuate until coagulation occurs. The elapsed time between the addition of thrombin and the inception of coagulation is the coagulation time, and is an indication of the concentration of fibrinogen in the blood sample.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the coagulation time of a solution containing whole blood or blood plasma, comprising:
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directing ultrasound toward said solution and receiving the scattered ultrasound; mixing a predetermined quantity of thrombin with said solution; examining the scattered ultrasound for an indication that said solution has coagulated; and measuring the elapsed tine between the mixing of thrombin with said solution and the coagulation of said solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of detecting the termination of a biochemical reaction, comprising:
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irradiating an ultrasound, transparent sample holder with ultrasound, said sample holder holding a first chemical reactant; measuring the intensity of ultrasound scattering from the contents of said sample holder; adding a second chemical reactant to said sample holder; and sensing the occurrence of a marked decrease in amplitude of fluctuations in intensity of said ultrasound scattering.
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10. An apparatus for measuring the coagulation time of a sample containing whole blood or blood plasma, comprising:
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an ultrasound-transmissive medium; a sample holder contained within said medium for receiving said sample, said sample holder having an ultrasound transparent window; an ultrasound transducer contained within said medium and adapted to direct ultrasound toward said sample holder and to receive ultrasound scattering therefrom; means for generating an ultrasound signal and driving said transducer with said signal; and means for receiving ultrasound scattering from the contents of said sample holder, said receiving means including means for measuring the intensity of said scattered ultrasound and for producing a signal indicative thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of measuring the coagulation time of a solution containing whole blood or blood plasma, comprising:
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directing ultrasound toward said solution such that said ultrasound interacts with said solution; receiving said ultrasound after interaction with said solution; mixing a predetermined quantity of thrombin with said solution; examining the received signal for a decrease in amplitude of fluctuations of said received signal responsive to coagulation of said solution; and measuring the elapsed time between the mixing of thrombin with said solution and the coagulation of said solution.
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17. A method of detecting the termination of a biochemical reaction, comprising:
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irradiating an ultrasound, transparent sample holder with ultrasound, said sample holder containing a first chemical reactant such that said ultrasound interacts with the contents of said sample holder; adding a second chemical reactant to said sample holder; receiving said ultrasound after interaction with the contents of said sample holder; and sensing the termination of said biochemical reaction by examining the received ultrasound for a decrease in amplitude of fluctuations of said received ultrasound responsive to termination of said reaction.
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Specification