Method and apparatus for simultaneously recording reaction times
First Claim
1. Apparatus for simultaneously determining the completion time, of chemical reactions producing an optical change, in a plurality of chemical samples each of which is contained in a transparent container and includes a suspension containing fibrin and an added particulate substance to which fibrin is capable of adhering, said apparatus comprising retention means to locate the plurality of containers with each container interposed in a light path between a corresponding light source and a corresponding light sensor, and agitator insertable within said containers and movable to agitate said samples, a timer connected with said light sensors and operable by the outputs thereof, and means for switching on the timer, the latter means being operated with the commencement of the reaction in the containers, and means for stopping the timer constituted by the provision wherein, said particulate substance is so constituted that fibrin mesh formed by the samples during the chemical reaction traps the particles of said suspension and is swept away during agitation of the samples such that the timer is stopped by an increase of light to the detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of determining the end point of a chemical reaction producing an optical change in a plurality of samples is disclosed. The invention is particularly suitable for the simultaneous determination of the coagulation time for multiple samples of blood and like materials.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for simultaneously determining the completion time, of chemical reactions producing an optical change, in a plurality of chemical samples each of which is contained in a transparent container and includes a suspension containing fibrin and an added particulate substance to which fibrin is capable of adhering, said apparatus comprising retention means to locate the plurality of containers with each container interposed in a light path between a corresponding light source and a corresponding light sensor, and agitator insertable within said containers and movable to agitate said samples, a timer connected with said light sensors and operable by the outputs thereof, and means for switching on the timer, the latter means being operated with the commencement of the reaction in the containers, and means for stopping the timer constituted by the provision wherein, said particulate substance is so constituted that fibrin mesh formed by the samples during the chemical reaction traps the particles of said suspension and is swept away during agitation of the samples such that the timer is stopped by an increase of light to the detector.
- 7. A method of simultaneously determining the completion time, of a chemical reaction producing an optical change, in a plurality of chemical samples comprising a suspension containing fibrin, said method comprising the steps of adding to each sample a particulate substance to which fibrin is capable of adhering, placing each said sample in a transparent container, initiating said reaction and simultaneously switching-on a timing means, agitating said samples within said containers so that a fibrin mesh formed in the samples traps the particles of the suspension and the mesh is swept away during the agitation of the samples to cause the samples to be suddenly and rapidly rendered transparent, and switching-off said timing means when the samples are rendered transparent.
Specification