Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of a whole blood sample from an individual to determine the platelet function and coagulation status of the individual in a substantially automated and efficient matter. Also provided here are systems, reagent kits, and methods for concurrent assessment of platelet function and coagulation as they interact during hemostasis.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing the damage underlying lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or both lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or for treating the damage underlying lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or both lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow). The device comprises a central support (12), and one or more than one extension-adduction apparatus (32) or one or more than one flexion-abduction apparatus (50), or both one or more than one extension-adduction apparatus (32) and one or more than one flexion-abduction apparatus (50).

Abstract: A method for determining the existence and the amount of soluble fibrin contained in a specimen fluid is provided. The method includes the steps of precipitating soluble fibrin out of the opaque specimen fluid, aggregating the soluble fibrin precipitates in a limited region of a transparent container so as to render the precipitates optically detectable in the opaque specimen fluid, and optically detecting the precipitates. The amount of soluble fibrin may be determined by measuring the time from the addition of the precipitating regent to the detection of the soluble fibrin precipitates. Methods of the present invention allow one to measure soluble fibrin in whole blood, and therefore render the test useful in the operating room under conditions of major surgery and in the presence of severe trauma wherein DIC is likely to supervene.

Abstract: A method for determining the existence and the amount of soluble fibrin contained in a specimen fluid is provided. The method includes the steps of precipitating soluble fibrin out of the opaque specimen fluid, aggregating the soluble fibrin precipitates in a limited region of a transparent container so as to render the precipitates optically detectable in the opaque specimen fluid, and optically detecting the precipitates. The amount of soluble fibrin may be determined by measuring the time from the addition of the precipitating regent to the detection of the soluble fibrin precipitates. Methods of the present invention allow one to measure soluble fibrin in whole blood, and therefore render the test useful in the operating room under conditions of major surgery and in the presence of severe trauma wherein DIC is likely to supervene.

Abstract: A method for determining the existence and the amount of soluble fibrin contained in a specimen fluid is provided. The method includes the steps of precipitating soluble fibrin out of the opaque specimen fluid, aggregating the soluble fibrin precipitates in a limited region of a transparent container so as to render the precipitates optically detectable in the opaque specimen fluid, and optically detecting the precipitates. The amount of soluble fibrin may be determined by measuring the time from the addition of the precipitating regent to the detection of the soluble fibrin precipitates. Methods of the present invention allow one to measure soluble fibrin in whole blood, and therefore render the test useful in the operating room under conditions of major surgery and in the presence of severe trauma wherein DIC is likely to supervene.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rates for a blood specimen (29) which can be linearly transposed to Westergren sedimentation rates. The method includes the steps of inducing accelerated rouleaux formation in the specimen (29) in an amount sufficient to begin settling at substantially the decantation rate for the specimen. In one embodiment a structure (27) which produces a very thin cross-sectional region (37) of the specimen (29) inside the lumen (23) of a specimen container (21) is provided to accelerate rouleaux formation. In an alternative embodiment (120), accelerated rouleaux formation is accomplished using a centrifuge (122). A third embodiment employs a movable rod (223) mounted inside the specimen tube (221) to induce accelerated rouleaux formation. All embodiments of the process next employ gravity settling the specimen in a near horizontal oriented container (21, 121, 221). Thereafter, the amount of settling occurring is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rates for a blood specimen (29) which can be linearly transposed to Westergren sedimentation rates. The method includes the steps of inducing accelerated rouleaux formation in the specimen (29) in an amount sufficient to begin settling at substantially the decantation rate for the specimen. In one embodiment a structure (27) which produces a very thin cross-sectional region (37) of the specimen (29) inside the lumen (23) of a specimen container (21) is provided to accelerate rouleaux formation. In an alternative embodiment (120), accelerated rouleaux formation is accomplished using a centrifuge (122). A third embodiment employs a movable rod (223) mounted inside the specimen tube (221) to induce accelerated rouleaux formation. All embodiments of the process next employ gravity settling the specimen in a near horizontal oriented container (21, 121, 221). Thereafter, the amount of settling occurring is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rates for a bloodspecimen (29) which can be linearly transposed to Westergren sedimentation rates. The method includes the steps of inducing accelerated rouleaux formation in the specimen (29) in an amount sufficient to begin settling at substantially the decantation rate for the specimen. In one embodiment a structure (27) which produces a very thin cross-sectional region (37) of the specimen (29) inside the lumen (23) of a specimen container (21) is provided to accelerate rouleaux formation. In an alternative embodiment (120), accelerated rouleaux formation is accomplished using a centrifuge (122). A third embodiment employs a movable rod (223) mounted inside the specimen tube (221) to induce accelerated rouleaux formation. All embodiments of the process next employ gravity settling the specimen in a near horizontal oriented container (21, 121, 221). Thereafter, the amount of settling occurring is determined.

Abstract: A method for optically measuring the functional capacity of blood platelets and the blood clotting system. The method consists of detection of platelet aggregation in a platelet-containing specimen fluid, whereby the specimen fluid is contacted with a platelet agonist and disclosure reagent. A mechanical specimen-handling apparatus with one or more optical end-point detectors which is preferred for use with the method of the invention is also described. The apparatus incubates a small quantity of diluted whole blood with added solid or liquid reagents at body temperature, and mixes the blood via rocking and rotational motions so as to expose the blood uniformly to the reagents. The optical end-point detectors then measure the activity of platelets within the blood specimen, clotting time, and the clotting cascade. Several intermediate measurements are also available.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rates for a blood specimen (29) which can be linearly transposed to Westergren sedimentation rates. The method includes the steps of inducing accelerated rouleaux formation in the specimen (29) in an amount sufficient to begin settling at substantially the decantation rate for the specimen. In one embodiment a structure (27) which produces a very thin cross-sectional region (37) of the specimen (29) inside the lumen (23) of a specimen container (21) is provided to accelerate rouleaux formation. In an alternative embodiment (120), accelerated rouleaux formation is accomplished using a centrifuge (122). A third embodiment employs a movable rod (223) mounted inside the specimen tube (221) to induce accelerated rouleaux formation. All embodiments of the process next employ gravity settling the specimen in a near horizontal oriented container (21, 121, 221). Thereafter, the amount of settling occurring is determined.

Abstract: Useful information about a subject's level of systemic inflammation is obtained by quantitatively measuring the amount of fibrinogen and the hematocrit and or hemoglobin in the subject's whole blood. The fibrinogen measurement, when combined with an hematocrit or hemoglobin measurement, provides a systemic Inflammation Index value for the donor. The method is not affected by blood variables which are not related to the presence of inflammation, which blood variables are known to invalidate an erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is the most frequently used blood test for detecting systemic inflammation in humans.

Abstract: A blood extracting and receiving container assembly (10) having a coating agent (22) disposed on an interior surface of a blood receiving chamber (12) and an extracting apparatus (14) to effectively isolate a blood specimen from contacting surfaces which would initiate clotting. The coating agent contains molecules which inhibit the activation of blood elements responsible for initiating blood clotting processes. A method for manipulating a blood specimen in vitro in association with the subject blood extracting and receiving assembly (10) includes the steps of coating an interior surface of the extracting and receiving container assembly (10) with nonthrombogenic coating agent (22), and, while coating agent (22) adheres to the interior surface of assembly (10), withdrawing a blood specimen (24) into the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically measuring the functional capacity of blood platelets and the blood clotting system. The invention includes a mechanical specimen-handling apparatus with one or more optical end-point detectors. The apparatus incubates a small quantity of diluted whole blood with added solid or liquid reagents at body temperature, and mixes the blood via rocking and rotational motions so as to expose the blood uniformly to the reagents. The optical end-point detectors then measure the activity of platelets within the blood specimen and the clotting cascade. Several intermediate measures are also available.