Patent ID: 7399637

Claim:
A system that performs a test on a biologic test sample to determine a coagulation test time comprising: a test cartridge formed of a cartridge housing having at least one closed test chamber therein into which a test sample is deposited to be tested and an agitator mounted at a pivot point in the test chamber, the agitator having an agitator vane located entirely within the test chamber as the agitator rotates and adapted to be swept about the pivot point and through the test sample in the test chamber; and a test instrument having an instrument housing including a cartridge receptacle for supporting the test cartridge, the test instrument further comprising sweeping means for sweeping the agitator vane about the pivot point through the test sample in the test chamber; detecting means for detecting a reduction of sweeping movement of the agitator vane; and timing means for timing a coagulation test time elapsed from the commencement of sweeping of the agitator vane until the detection of reduction of the sweeping movement.