Devices and method for performing blood coagulation assays by piezoelectric sensing
First Claim
1. A device for measuring at least one blood coagulation parameter, comprising;
- a housing;
a sample inlet for the addition of a blood sample to the device;
a reaction chamber within the housing for the flow or holding of sample within the device;
an electromagnetic wave generator proximate to said reaction chamber for passing electromagnetic waves through the sample in the reaction chamber; and
a piezoelectric device for monitoring changes to said electromagnetic waves after passing through said sample so as to detect a changing coagulation parameter of the blood sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for performing blood coagulation assays, particularly prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times and other clotting parameters are disclosed. The device comprises a disposable strip (containing a sample inlet for sample delivery, a capillary channel for driving force, and a reaction chamber with an appropriate dry reagent for a specific assay) and a piezoelectric sensor. The device could also include a heating element for temperature control, and a magnetic bender. The magnetic bender is driven by an electromagnetic field generator and is attached onto a piezoelectric film in contact with the blood sample. Electric signal generated at the piezo film is characterized by its frequency and amplitude due to the movement of the attached metal film. The signal collected at the site of the piezo film represents the process of a biochemical reaction in the reaction chamber, while blood sample proceeds to the point at which clot formation starts and is amplified by an amplifier and rectified into a Dc voltage and is sent to a recording unit and/or display unit.
118 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A device for measuring at least one blood coagulation parameter, comprising;
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a housing;
a sample inlet for the addition of a blood sample to the device;
a reaction chamber within the housing for the flow or holding of sample within the device;
an electromagnetic wave generator proximate to said reaction chamber for passing electromagnetic waves through the sample in the reaction chamber; and
a piezoelectric device for monitoring changes to said electromagnetic waves after passing through said sample so as to detect a changing coagulation parameter of the blood sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification