Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. A cartridge includes a plurality of test cells. Each cell receives an aliquot part of a blood sample. A measured amount of clotting reagent is provided in each cell. A measured amount of platelet activation reagent is provided in each cell, the amount of such reagent in each cell differing from the amount of such reagent in each other cell. The relative clotting times of the aliquot samples in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the blood sample.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing an activated clotting time test on a sample of blood containing platelets, the apparatus comprising a plurality of test cells, said cells being adapted for receiving an aliquot portion of said sample, wherein each of said cells comprises an anticoagulant and a platelet inactivating agent, and wherein at least one of said cells further comprises a clotting activator, wherein a clotting time is determined for each of said aliquot portions, and wherein a relative clotting time for each of said aliquot portions comprising the clotting activator is determined as compared to a reference clotting time for said at least one cell containing no clotting activator, wherein said relative clotting times in said cells are determinative of the clotting activation of said clotting activator.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing an activated clotting time test on a sample of blood containing platelets, the apparatus comprising a plurality of test cells, said cells being adapted for receiving an aliquot portion of said sample, wherein each of said cells comprises an anticoagulant and a platelet inactivating agent, and wherein at least one of said cells further comprises a clotting activator, wherein a clotting time is determined for each of said aliquot portions, and wherein a relative clotting time for each of said aliquot portions comprising the clotting activator is determined as compared to a reference clotting time for said at least one cell containing no clotting activator, wherein said relative clotting times in said cells are determinative of the clotting activation of said clotting activator.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact activator for platelet activation and/or clotting activation is provided, comprising placing a predetermined amount of an anticoagulant in each cell of a multicell test cartridge, placing a predetermined amount of a platelet inactivating agent in each cell, and placing a measured amount of contact activator in each cell, the amount of contact activator in each cell differing from the amount in each other cell. An aliquot of a blood sample is added to each cell, and the blood sample aliquot, clotting reagent and platelet inactivating agent are mixed. Each cell sample is allowed to clot, and the clotting time for each cell is measured. The relative clotting times are used to determine the platelet activation and/or clotting activation effect of the clotting activator.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing an activated clotting time test on a sample of blood containing platelets using a plunger sensor technique, the apparatus comprising a test cell, and wherein the test cell comprises an anticoagulant, a contact activator, and a predetermined amount of a platelet inactivating agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a platelet inhibition test on a sample of blood is provided, comprising a plurality of test cells, the cells being adapted for receiving an aliquot portion of the sample, wherein each of the cells comprises an anticoagulant and a clotting activator, and wherein at least one of the cells further comprises a platelet inactivating agent, wherein a clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and wherein a relative clotting time for each of the aliquot portions comprising the platelet inhibitor is determined as compared to a reference clotting time for a cell containing no platelet inhibitor, wherein the relative clotting times for the cells are determinative of the platelet inhibition of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing an activated clotting time test on a sample of blood containing platelets using a plunger sensor technique, the apparatus comprising a test cell, and wherein the test cell comprises an anticoagulant, a contact activator, and a predetermined amount of a platelet inactivating agent.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact activator for platelet activation and/or clotting activation is provided, comprising placing a predetermined amount of an anticoagulant in each cell of a multicell test cartridge, placing a predetermined amount of a platelet inactivating agent in each cell, and placing a measured amount of contact activator in each cell, the amount of contact activator in each cell differing from the amount in each other cell. An aliquot of a blood sample is added to each cell, and the blood sample aliquot, clotting reagent and platelet inactivating agent are mixed. Each cell sample is allowed to clot, and the clotting time for each cell is measured. The relative clotting times are used to determine the platelet activation and/or clotting activation effect of the clotting activator.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a platelet inhibition test on a sample of blood is provided, comprising a plurality of test cells, the cells being adapted for receiving an aliquot portion of the sample, wherein each of the cells comprises an anticoagulant and a clotting activator, and wherein at least one of the cells further comprises a platelet inactivating agent, wherein a clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and wherein a relative clotting time for each of the aliquot portions comprising the platelet inhibitor is determined as compared to a reference clotting time for a cell containing no platelet inhibitor, wherein the relative clotting times for the cells are determinative of the platelet inhibition of the sample.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of test cells. Each of the cells includes a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a clotting reagent. At least one of the cells also includes a platelet activating agent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample. The method includes the steps of combining a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelets of the sample are activated by adding a clotting reagent to the test mixture at the start of the activated clotting time test, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture.

Abstract: A method of determining a dose response for a platelet inhibitor. The method includes the steps of placing a predetermined amount of heparin in each cell of a multicell test cartridge, placing an optimized amount of a clotting activator in each cell, and placing a measured amount of platelet inhibitor in each cell, the amount of inhibitor in each cell differing from the amount in each other cell. An aliquot of a blood sample is added to each cell, and the blood sample aliquot, clotting reagent and platelet inhibitor are mixed. Each cell sample is allowed to clot, and the clotting time for each cell is measured. The relative clotting times are used to calculate and determine the platelet inhibition effect of the platelet inhibitor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing activated clotting time tests, including their use for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of test cells. Each of the cells comprises a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a clotting reagent. At least one of the test cells further comprises a platelet activating agent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample. The method comprises the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a clotting reagent, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture.

Abstract: An method for performing activated clotting time tests, including a method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The method includes the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a sufficient amount of clotting reagent to achieve clotting, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelet activating agent is a reagent other than the clotting reagent. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture. The activated clotting time of the sample of blood is calculated based on the elapsed time. The activated clotting time test may be performed using a plunger sensor apparatus which comprises a plurality of test cells.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of test cells. Each of the cells includes a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a clotting reagent. At least one of the cells also includes a platelet activating agent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample. The method includes the steps of combining a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelets of the sample are activated by adding a clotting reagent to the test mixture at the start of the activated clotting time test, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. A cartridge includes a plurality of test cells. Each cell receives an aliquot part of a blood sample. A measured amount of clotting reagent is provided in each cell. A measured amount of platelet activation reagent is provided in each cell, the amount of such reagent in each cell differing from the amount of such reagent in each other cell. The relative clotting times of the aliquot samples in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the blood sample.