Method and device for clotting time assay
First Claim
1. An analytical device for detecting a clotting or agglutinating event in a clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid comprising:
- a. a sample accepting area comprising a reagent to react with the clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid to produce a clot or agglutinate;
b. a capillary flow channel means through which the fluid may flow and in which the clotting or agglutinating event can occur;
c. a control means within the capillary flow channel for controlling the flow rate of the clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid and which stops the flow of the clottable or agglutinable biological fluid once the clot or agglutinate has formed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained analyzer quantitatively detects a clotting event in a biological fluid. The device includes a base having an open reservoir for receiving the biological fluid. A carrier for a dried activator reagent is located in or adjacent to the open reservoir. The biological fluid reconstitutes the dried reagent and starts the clotting process. During the clotting process the fluid travels through a capillary flow channel lined with a precision woven fabric. When clotting is completed, the woven fabric stops the flow of the fluid. A colored bar formed by the fluid flowing through the capillary channel indicates the length of time required for clotting of the sample.
33 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An analytical device for detecting a clotting or agglutinating event in a clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid comprising:
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a. a sample accepting area comprising a reagent to react with the clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid to produce a clot or agglutinate;
b. a capillary flow channel means through which the fluid may flow and in which the clotting or agglutinating event can occur;
c. a control means within the capillary flow channel for controlling the flow rate of the clottable or agglutinatable biological fluid and which stops the flow of the clottable or agglutinable biological fluid once the clot or agglutinate has formed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a. introducing a sample into an analytical device according to claim 1;
b. allowing the sample to contact the reagent and flow through the capillary flow channel forming a colored bar until clotting or agglutination occurs and;
c. measuring the length of the colored bar.
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8. The method according to claim 7 wherein prothrombin time is measured.
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9. The method according to claim 7 wherein agglutination of latex beads in a sample is measured.
- 10. In an analytical device for detecting a clotting or agglutination event in a fluid, the improvement comprising detecting the event in a capillary flow channel wherein the capillary flow channel contains a fabric means therein for controlling the flow rate of the fluid by stopping the flow and trapping a clot or agglutinate therein once clotting or agglutination has occurred.
Specification