Patent ID: 9719906
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. A method of determining a condition in a centrifuged blood sample, comprising: providing a sample of centrifuged blood separated into a plasma portion at the top of the centrifuged sample and a packed red blood cells portion at the bottom of the centrifuged sample; providing a metering probe having a pump for aspirating and dispensing; inserting the metering probe a selected distance into the blood sample to the bottom of the centrifuged sample until the metering probe contacts the packed red blood cells portion; measuring the pressure between the sample and pump during sample aspiration or sample dispense and generating a first pressure profile; comparing at least a portion of the first pressure profile with a reference value relating to a second pressure profile; and signaling the presence or absence of the condition, wherein the condition is an error condition caused by an incomplete centrifugation when the measured pressure is outside of the reference value.