Patent ID: 8828730

Claim:
A method for measuring thrombin generation in a whole blood sample in an assembly that comprises a sample support and a device for measuring thrombin generation in blood plasma, the method comprising: (a) placing the whole blood sample on the sample support which comprises a longitudinal separator medium that has a first end and a second end and comprises: (i) a sampling area at the first end at which the whole blood sample is deposited, and (ii) a reading area at the second end, said second end being receivable in an insertion opening, and a receiving space for a sample support, which separator medium allows flow migration of blood plasma while retaining blood cells, (b) before or after step (c), adding a fluorogenic thrombin substrate to the blood sample; (c) triggering thrombin generation; (d) prior to initiation of blood coagulation, separating blood cells from plasma in the separator medium, and (e) measuring the thrombin generated from the fluorogenic thrombin substrate using said device, wherein the device comprises: (i) a housing comprising a light tight box that comprises a cartridge retainer received therein; (ii) a light source; and (iii) a light sensor; wherein (A) disposed in said light-tight box are the insertion opening for inserting the sample support and for directing the sample support into the receiving space for the sample support in the cartridge retainer, and (B) at least part of the light source and part of the light sensor are directed towards said cartridge retainer.