Method and apparatus for determining erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit
OwnerJames W. Winkelman, Milenko J. Tanasijevic +1inventors
InventorsJames W. Winkelman, Milenko J. Tanasijevic, Michael Bennett
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood. A centrifuge separates the whole blood into its erythrocytes and its fluid portion. A video camera measures the levels of whole blood, erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the blood-and records the time of the formation of an interface between the erythrocytes and fluid portion. A monitor displays the results of the recording. Also disclosed are the method steps performed.
Claims20
A method of calculating erythrocyte sedimentation rate simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a sample of whole blood;
- centrifuging the whole blood;
- separating out the erythrocytes;
- forming an interface between the erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the blood;
- measuring the elapsed time from initiating the step of centrifuging to the formation of the interface;
- and
- calculating the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the sample from the elapsed time.
A method of calculating hematocrit simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a sample of whole blood;
- loading the sample of whole blood into a container;
- measuring the location of the whole blood relative to a fixed point in the container;
- centrifuging the blood sample;
- separating out the erythrocytes;
- creating an interface between the separated erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the blood;
- measuring the location of the interface relative to the fixed point in the container;
- and
- calculating the hematocrit of the sample from the difference between the two locations.
A method of calculating erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a sample of whole blood;
- loading the sample of whole blood into a container;
- measuring the location of the whole blood relative to a fixed point in the container;
- centrifuging the whole blood;
- separating out the erythrocytes;
- creating an interface between the erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the blood;
- measuring the elapsed time from initiating the step of centrifuging to the formation of the interface;
- measuring the location of the interface relative to the fixed point in the container;
- calculating the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the sample from the elapsed time;
- and
- calculating the hematocrit of the sample from the difference between the two locations.
Apparatus for determining erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood comprising:
- a container for holding a sample of whole blood;
- a centrifuge for separating the whole blood into its erythrocytes and its plasma;
- means for measuring and recording the volume of whole blood, the erythrocytes, and the plasma;
- and
- a monitor for displaying the results of the recordings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.