Method of detecting presence or absence of a clot in a liquid sample analyzer

A liquid sample analyzer adapted for performing a method of clot detection, the liquid sample analyzer comprising:

• (a) a measurement chamber with an inlet for feeding a liquid sample to the measurement chamber, and an outlet for discharging the liquid sample from the measurement chamber;
• (b) a first analyte sensor;
• (c) a second analyte sensor;
• (d) a third analyte sensor;
• each of the second analyte sensor and the third analyte sensor facing the measurement chamber, the first, second, and third analyte sensors each being arranged for measuring an analyte in the liquid sample in the measurement chamber;
• and
• (e) a signal processor configured for:
• (i) obtaining a first sequence of measurement results by the first analyte sensor, the first sequence of measurement results including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value, obtaining a second sequence of measurement results by the second analyte sensor, the second sequence of measurement results respectively including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value, and obtaining a third sequence of measurement results by the third analyte sensor, the third sequence of measurement results respectively including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value,
• (ii) determining a change based on respective first and second measurement values of each of the first, second, and third sequence of measurement results,
• (iii) calculating a first average change using the first and second measurement values of each of the second and third sequence of measurement results,
• (iv) calculating a difference between the change based on the first and second measurement values of the first sequence of measurement results and the calculated first average change, and
• (v) as a result of the calculated difference, performing either:
• (A) a clot removal procedure, or
• (B) further feeding the liquid sample to the measurement chamber.

A method of detecting a clot in a measurement chamber of a liquid sample analyzer, wherein the liquid sample analyzer comprises a first analyte sensor, a second analyte sensor, and a third analyte sensor, each of the first, second, and third analyte sensors being for measuring an analyte in a liquid sample in the measurement chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) at least partly filling the measurement chamber with a known solution having a composition comprising the analyte at a first pre-determined level;
• (b) obtaining a first sequence of measurement results by the first analyte sensor, the first sequence of measurement results including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value, obtaining a second sequence of measurement results by the second analyte sensor, the second sequence of measurement results respectively including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value, and obtaining a third sequence of measurement results by the third analyte sensor, the third sequence of measurement results respectively including at least a first measurement value and a second measurement value;
• (c) determining a change based on respective first and second measurement values of each of the first, second, and third sequence of measurement results;
• (d) calculating a first average change using the first and second measurement values of each of the second and third sequence of measurement results;
• (e) calculating a difference between the change based on the first and second measurement values of the first sequence of measurement results and the calculated first average change;
• and
• (f) as a result of the calculated difference, performing either:
• (1) a clot removal procedure, or
• (2) flowing the known solution and/or liquid sample through the measurement chamber.