Apparatus and method for measuring clot elastic modulus and force development on the same blood sample
AssigneesVirginia Commonwealth University, Center for Innovative Technology
InventorMarcus E. Carr, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The compression elastic modulus of a blood sample is determined by compressing a blood sample (12) between plates (14 and 16) and comparing the voltage signal (32) output from the transducer (22) with a displacement calibration constant C.sub.d. The compression elastic modulus is determined on the same sample as the platelet mediated force development.
Claims11
An apparatus for analyzing blood and plasma samples, comprising both a means for analyzing platelet function and a means for analyzing clot structure for the same sample, wherein both said means for analyzing platelet function and said means for analyzing clot structure for the same sample utilize a common pair of spaced apart plates wherein a first plate of said pair of spaced apart plates is connected to a displacement sensor which monitors movement of said first plates towards a second plate of said spaced apart plates.
A method of determining an elastic modulus of a blood sample, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a blood sample between a pair of spaced apart plates;
- compressing said blood sample between said pair of spaced apart plates;
- monitoring electrical output from a sensor connected to one of said pair of spaced apart plates during said compressing step;
- and
- calculating an elastic modulus of said blood sample based on a relationship between said electrical output and a degree of compression exerted during said compressing step.
A method of determining the retraction force and elastic modulus characteristics of a single blood sample, comprising the steps of
- positioning a blood sample between a pair of spaced apart plates, the spacing allowing platelets in said blood sample to adhere to both of said plates;
- monitoring a pulling force exerted on one of said plates pulling said plates towards each other while said blood sample is clotting;
- determining a retraction force from measurements made during said monitoring step;
- compressing said blood sample between said pair of spaced apart plates;
- monitoring electrical output from a sensor connected to one of said pair of spaced apart plates during said compressing step;
- and
- calculating an elastic modulus of said blood sample based on a relationship between said electrical output and a degree of compression exerted during said compressing step.
An apparatus for determining the retraction force and elastic modulus characteristics of a blood sample, comprising:
- a pair of spaced apart plates wherein the spacing allows platelets in a blood sample to adhere to both of said pair of spaced apart plates;
- one or more sensors connected to at least one of said pair of spaced apart plates, said one or more sensors providing electrical output signals which are a function of a force exerted to move said spaced apart plates towards each other;
- a means for monitoring a pulling force exerted by a clotting blood sample between said pair of spaced apart plates, said pulling force being indicative of platelet mediated force development;
- a means for compressing a blood sample between said pair of spaced apart plates;
- a means for monitoring a degree of compressive movement of said pair of spaced apart plates towards one another exerted by said means for compressing said blood sample, said degree of compressive movement being indicative of clot elastic modulus;
- and
- a means for providing information related to platelet function and clot structure based on said platelet mediated force development and said clot elastic modulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.