Patent ID: 6338821
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An electronic device for performing a coagulation or lysis assay of a blood sample, the device comprising:a housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior area; means for receiving the blood sample through the housing into the interior area; a non-porous substrate positioned within the interior area for receiving the blood sample thereon and retaining the blood sample in a particular position on the substrate; a reagent for accelerating the coagulation of the blood sample positioned on the substrate and in contact with the blood sample; means for measuring the viscosity of the blood sample in the particular position and generating an electrical signal which correlates to a curve of the coagulation or lysis assay; and processing means being positioned within the interior area and connected to the measuring means for receiving and converting the electrical signal into a digital output corresponding to the coagulation or lysis assay using assay calibration information stored in the device.