Patent ID: 6506606
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of determining, by centrifugation, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) expressed in conventional Westergren ESR methodology terms and units (mm/hr), of a specific sample of whole blood, comprising the steps of:A) comprising the sub-steps of: a) obtaining a plurality of samples of whole blood; b) dividing the samples into two portions each; c) centrifuging a first portion of each sample; d) forming an interface between the erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the first portion of each sample; and e) determining the interface time in seconds by measuring the elapsed time from initiating centrifugation to the formation of the interface in the first portion of each sample; B) determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the second portion of each sample in conventional Westergren terms and units (mm/hr) by employing conventional Westergren technique; C) comprising the sub-steps of: a) creating a plot comprising the elapsed time (seconds) of forming the interface of the first portion of each sample (interface time) plotted on one axis against the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the second portion of each sample determined by conventional Westergren technique (mm/hr) plotted on a second axis; and b) creating a line of best fit of the points on the plot represented by data on both axes; D) comprising the sub-steps of: a) obtaining a specific sample of the whole blood desired to be tested; b) centrifuging the specific sample; c) forming an interface between the erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the specific sample; d) determining the interface time (seconds) by measuring the elapsed time from initiating centrifugation to the formation of the interface of said specific sample; and E) expressing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the specific sample in conventional Westergren ESR methodology terms and units (mm/hr) on the second axis by reading the point that corresponds to the elapsed time (seconds) on the first axis of the plot derived per C.c. above.