Apparatus for analyzing the influence of additive reagents upon the coagulation of blood

Claim 2

Analysis apparatus for providing an indication determinative of the coagulation time of a blood sample, comprising: a plurality of detector means each separate one associated with a separate one of a plurality of test chambers with each of said detectors providing a signal indicative of a clot formed in an associated chamber, selector means for selecting a predetermined number indicative of the number of clots to be detected in said plurality of chambers, during an analysis, comparison means responsive to said signals from said detectors and said selected predetermined number to provide an output signal when they are equal, and, timing means operative to commence operation when said samples are distributed in said test chambers and responsive to said output signal to terminate operation upon the generation of said output signal to cause said timing means to indicate the time interval manifesting the formation of said selected number of clots.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said comparison means includes input counting means coupled to said plurality of detectors to provide an output signal indicative of the number of signals from said detectors and therefore indicative of the number of clots detected.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 further including: a plurality of indicator means each one associated with and coupled to a respective one of said detector means to provide an indication manifesting the formation of a clot in said associated test chamber.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a reagent means of specified amounts located in said test chambers.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 1 further including an oscillator capable of providing an output signal manifesting a given time interval, wherein said timing means is responsive to said signal to count said intervals to provide said time interval indicative of the formation of said number of clots.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 1 further including: timing selector means operative to select a number of digits indicative of a desired timing interval, activatable timing comparison means having one input responsive to said selected number of digits and one input coupled to said timing means and responsive to said timing interval to provide an output signal when activated when said interval is equal to said selected number, and logic means responsive to said output signals from said comparison means and said timing comparison means to terminate operation of said timing means for the first of said output signals to occur.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 6 further including: means responsive to the formation of at least one clot in any of said activatable plurality of test chambers to activate said activatable timing comparison means.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: test chamber means including a plurality of test chambers and means for distributing a sample of blood into said plurality of test chambers, said test chamber means including a longitudinal tubular member having a closed bottom and top opening for receiving a blood sample, said tubular member having a series of chambers separated one from the other by a wall of a predetermined height to cause blood to flow from a first entry chamber to a last overflow chamber by gravity to fill each chamber with one pool indicative of the height of said wall.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the number of test chambers excluding said first entry and last overflow chambers is ten.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said tubular member is a transparent cylindrical member, with said detector means comprising a light source for directing a beam of light through an associated test chamber and a photosensor for receiving said beam of light in a first mode indicative of a non-clotting condition and for providing a second mode indicative of a clotting condition when said light beam is blocked from said sensor due to the formation of a clot in said associated chamber.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 8 further including: an overflow detector responsive to the presence of blood in said overflow chamber to provide a start signal to commence said analysis, timing logic means coupled to said timing means and responsive to said start signal to commence said timing interval.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 11 further including: drive means coupled to said tubular member and responsive to said start signal for rotating said member at a predetermined rate.

Claim 14

Apparatus for providing an indication determinative of the coagulation time of a blood sample to be tested comprising: cartridge means including a plurality of test chambers and means for distributing a sample of blood into said plurality of test chambers, one of said test chambers indicative of an overflow condition manifesting a blood sample being contained in all other chambers, a start detector responsive to blood being present in said overflow test chamber for providing a test start signal, a plurality of detector means each separate one associated with one of said other test chambers for providing a signal when said test chamber contains a clot, said detector means responsive to said start signal to commence operation, counting means coupled to said plurality of detector means for sequentially scanning the same to provide as an output signal indicative of the number of clots detected, first selector means operative to select a number indicative of a desired number of clots to be detected during a test, comparison means responsive to said selected number and said counting signal to provide a first output control signal when they are equal, a timing generator actuated by said start signal to provide a running timing interval as an output when said start signal is supplied, a second selector means operative to select a second number indicative of a desired time interval for which said test is to run, a second comparison means responsive to the output of said timing generator and said second number to provide a second output control signal when they are equal, and logic means responsive to said first and second output control signals for stopping said timing generator and said test upon the occurrence of a first one of said signals, and means for indicating the time interval run when said test is terminated.

Claim 15

Apparatus for providing an indication determinative of the coagulation time of a blood sample to be tested comprising: cartridge means including a plurality of test chambers and means for distributing a sample of blood into said plurality of test chambers, one of said test chambers indicative of an overflow condition manifesting a blood sample being contained in all other chambers, a start detector responsive to blood being present in said overflow test chamber for providing a test start signal, a plurality of detector means each separate one associated with one of said other test chambers for providing a signal when said test chamber contains a clot, said detector means responsive to said start signal to commence operation, counting means coupled to said plurality of detector means for sequentially scanning the same to provide as an output signal indicative of the number of clots detected, first selector means operative to select a number indicative of a desired number of clots to be detected during a test, comparison means responsive to said selected number and said counting signal to provide a first output control signal when they are equal, a timing generator actuated by said start signal to provide a running timing interval as an output when said start signal is supplied, a second selector means operative to select a second number indicative of a desired time interval for which said test is to run, a second comparison means responsive to the output of said timing generator and said second number to provide a second output control signal when they are equal, and logic means responsive to said first and second output control signals for stopping said timing generator and said test upon the occurrence of a first one of said signals, and means for indicating the time interval run when said test is terminated.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: first latching means responsive to said start signal to reset said timing generator to all zeros upon the start of said test.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said indicating means is a visual display.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: a plurality of separate indicating means each associated with one of said detecting means to provide a signal when a clot is detected in said associated chamber.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 13 further including means coupled to said cartridge and responsive to said start signal for rotating said cartridge to agitate said samples.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 13 further including: inhibiting means coupled to said second comparison means to inhibit said operation if no clots are detected during said preselected time interval, whereby said test will continue until said logic means responds to a signal from said first comparison means within a time interval greater than said selected interval.