System and method for in vitro bleeding time testing

A blood coagulation analysis system comprising:

• a receiving device having an internal chamber with a longitudinal axis for receiving a blood sample, having an inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber and having a single outlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber, the inlet being disposed elevationally above the outlet during operation of the device and the single outlet having a flowpath located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the internal chamber that permits fluid to flow out from the chamber;
• a sensor configured to detect at least one of fluid pressure and flow rate within the internal chamber;
• a sheet of material configured to span the flowpath through the single outlet, the sheet of material having a rectangular opening spanning a thickness of the sheet and being aligned substantially horizontal along the length of the opening;
• and
• a controller configured to receive information from the sensor and regulate at least one of flow rate and pressure within the internal chamber, the controller being configured to provide constant pressure within the internal chamber.

A method for analyzing blood coagulation, comprising:

• providing a device comprising an internal chamber with a longitudinal axis, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber and a single outlet disposed elevationally lower than the inlet port and in fluid communication with the internal chamber wherein the single outlet has a flowpath located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the internal chamber that permits fluid to flow out of the chamber;
• providing a source of blood in selective fluid communication with the internal chamber through the inlet port;
• providing a sensor configured to sense at least one of pressure and flow rate within the internal chamber;
• providing a sheet of material spanning a cross-section of the flowpath in the outlet, the sheet of material having a single opening providing fluid passage through the sheet;
• initiating blood flow from the source into the device;
• routing at least one of pressure information and flow rate information from the chamber through the sensor to a controller;
• forming a clot blockage of the opening;
• and
• utilizing the controller to control the flow rate from the source through the inlet port during clot formation to maintain a predetermined shear force within the internal chamber.