Abstract: This invention discloses an electronic computer network connector system for interfacing control signals at a remote workstation. The connector system includes a cartridge member for modularly housing a distributed control electronic card assembly. The cartridge member and the electronic card assembly form a module. The electronic circuitry of the module provides intelligence for operation of the workstation. Also included in the connector system is a bus rail backplane assembly for electronically interfacing with a host computer system, multiple workstations, with other modules associated with their respective workstation, all in a local area computer network system. The backplane assembly includes a printed wiring board having a cartridge receptacle for detachably retaining the module's cartridge member, service connectors for coupling common signals from the host computer to the module, coupling signals to an associated workstation, to other modules and to other workstations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically measuring and recording erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) of blood samples according to the Westergren method includes a controllable specimen device member which measures sedimentation data of blood samples, and a data processor which controls the specimen device analyzes the sedimentation data and reports the results of its analyses. The specimen device is equipped with a controllable camera which measures the opacity of light passing through a specimen being analyzed. The camera has a high dynamic range, meaning that it is sensitive over a blood spectrum of light intensities, so that it guarantees an accurate reading even when the blood sample is hemolyzed or has turbid plasma. The apparatus makes an initial sedimentation height measurement on a specimen sample, and after a given amount of time makes a final sedimentation height measurement on that specimen.