Apparatus and method for analyzing blood clotting

A cartridge for use in a blood clotting analyzer, comprising a plurality of reagent chambers configured to serve as blood clotting analysis chambers or in communication with blood clotting analysis chambers when used with the blood clotting analyzer, wherein the plurality of reagent chambers comprises:

• a first chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent but not containing a heparin neutralizer, a platelet activator, or fibrinogen;
• a second chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent and a heparin neutralizer but not containing a platelet activator or fibrinogen;
• a third chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent, a platelet activator, and a heparin neutralizer but not containing fibrinogen;
• a fourth chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent, fibrinogen, and a platelet inhibitor;
• a fifth chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent and heparin;
• a
• a sixth chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent, plasma, and a heparin neutralizer;
• a seventh chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent, a fibrinolysis inhibiting agent, and a heparin neutralizer;
• and
• an eighth chamber containing a clotting rate enhancing agent, a platelet inhibitor, and a heparin neutralizer,
• wherein the first chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent prior to addition of a sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the second chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent and the heparin neutralizer prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the third chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent, the platelet activator, and the heparin neutralizer prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the fourth chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent, fibrinogen, and the platelet inhibitor prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the fifth chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent and heparin prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the sixth chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent, plasma, and the heparin neutralizer prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested,
• wherein the seventh chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent, the fibrinolysis inhibiting agent, and the heparin neutralizer prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested, and
• wherein the eighth chamber contains the clotting rate enhancing agent, the platelet inhibitor, and the heparin neutralizer prior to addition of the sample of blood to be tested.