# US 11,029,307 B2 · Apparatus for monitoring blood coagulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,307 B2 - Document ID: US11029307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/514,356 - Filed: 2015-09-25 - Published: 2017-10-12 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-25 - Assignees: Benson Viscometers Ltd - Applicants: Benson Viscometers Ltd. - Inventors: Charles Bernard Benson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029307B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/4905: {Determining clotting time of blood (by chemical methods G01N33/86, C12Q1/56)} - G01N 27/06: of a liquid (involving electrolysis G01N27/26) - G01N 33/49: Blood {(chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract There is disclosed an apparatus is disclosed for monitoring blood coagulation comprising a main body; a test chamber for receiving a fluid sample; and a rotor disposed within the test chamber. The rotor comprises a buoyancy chamber for reducing the apparent weight of the rotor when fluid is positioned within the test chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for monitoring blood coagulation comprising: a main body; a test chamber for receiving a fluid sample; and a rotor disposed within the test chamber centralized between a lower pivot point and an upper pivot point, but not tethered to the upper and lower pivot point, wherein the rotor comprises a buoyancy chamber for reducing the apparent weight of the rotor when fluid is arranged within the test chamber, the main body and test chamber form a capsule characterized in that the main body comprises an inlet connected to a feeder channel leading into a lower channel via which the fluid sample can be inserted into the test chamber and in that the main body further comprises, at a top of the test chamber, a ventilation aperture leading to a short ventilation gallery comprising a vertical shaft leading to an upper substantially horizontal channel via which excess fluid sample and air can exit the test chamber into an overflow reservoir. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is untethered and/or wherein the rotor is rotatable about the upper and lower pivot points. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotor has a base unit having a bearing with a domed tip and arranged such that the tip is in contact with a base portion of the test chamber to provide the lower pivot point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the domed tip of the bearing has a ‘ball bearing like’ surface or wherein the domed tip has a polished surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base portion of the test chamber comprises a receptacle for receiving the domed tip of the bearing or wherein at least part of a surface of the receptacle has a polished surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a first portion and a second portion configurable to create an internal space there-between. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the internal space comprises an inert gas or air. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 claim further comprising an analyzer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the analyzer comprises a port for receiving at least part of the capsule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic drive system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic drive system comprises a driver magnet and a follower magnet arrangement, the follower magnet being moveable between a first position and a second position in response to a magnetic field of the driver magnet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the follower magnet is located on or in the rotor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the driver magnet is moveable for varying the magnetic field incident upon the follower magnet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drive and follower magnets are magnetically attracted to each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the driver magnet is located external to the test chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the drive and follower magnets are magnetically repelled to each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the follower magnet is reciprocally moveable along an arcuate path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is portable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method of monitoring the coagulation of blood using the apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising the steps in no particular order of: disposing a fluid sample within the test chamber; providing an upward force on the rotor by means of the buoyancy chamber; and reducing the apparent weight of the rotor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the method further comprises inserting the capsule into a port of an analyzer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein subsequently to the fluid being disposed in the test chamber, a calibration process is commenced until full calibration of the apparatus is obtained. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein subsequent to insertion of the capsule into the port of the analyzer, the capsule completes a pre-calibration procedure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the pre-calibration procedure is carried out on air within the capsule. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, comprising: activating a magnetic drive system and moving the rotor reciprocally to generate a reciprocal movement about an arcuate path. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, comprising monitoring the reciprocal movement of the rotor so as to determine a resistive property of the test fluid.