The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 22, 1991
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1990
Marcus E Carr, Jr, Richmond, VA (US);
Sheryl L Zekert, Richmond, VA (US);
Center for Innovative Technology, Herndon, VA (US);
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (US);
Abstract
An instrument for measuring the internal force characteristics of a blood sample (12) during clotting has been developed. The blood sample (12) is held between a cup (10) and a plate (16). The plate (16) is connected to a force displacement transducer (22). As the clot forms, platelets contract and exert an inward pulling force on the plate (16). This inward pulling force is sensed by the transducer (22) which outputs a corresponding voltage signal. The voltage signal is amplified (24) and recorded on strip chart paper (28). The voltage signal (32) can be directly translated into force parameters by first calibrating the instrument with standard weights. It has been found that the maximum force measurements are obtained under controlled temperature, ionic strength and calcium concentration conditions which approximate those of the blood while in the body. A particular feature of the invention includes a water jacket (14) which is used to maintain the temperature of the blood sample (12) at 37.degree. C. (body temperature).