Abstract: An improved cuvette unit suitable for use in blood oxygen analyzing and plotting apparatus in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,488. A cuvette cavity, preferably cylindrical, is formed in a transparent plastic block. A Clark electrode is embedded in said block and arranged to project into the interior of the cavity. A horizontally-directed gas inlet is introduced adjacent the bottom of the cavity, for introducing the gas (oxygen, or an inert gas) and also providing efficient agitation. Among the benefits are the avoidance of mechanical agitation elements and the speeding up of the oxygen association and dissociation tests.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the oxygen carrying capacity of normal and abnormal hemoglobins and red cells under controlled pH, ionic strength, temperature and gas conditions is described. A blood sample and a physiologically balanced medium are placed in a cuvette and means are associated therewith for measuring the fractional saturation of the sample and the partial pressure of the oxygen (sometimes referred to as the oxygen tension) and provide output signals to an X-Y plotter for continuous recording. Preferably, means for maintaining the temperature of the medium and the blood sample is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the oxygen carrying capacity of normal and abnormal hemoglobins and red cells under controlled pH, ionic strength, temperature and gas conditions is described. A blood sample and a physiologically balanced medium are placed in a cuvette and means are associated therewith for measuring the fractional saturation of the sample and the partial pressure of the oxygen (sometimes referred to as the oxygen tension) and provide output signals to an X-Y plotter for continuous recording. Preferably, means for maintaining the temperature of the medium and the blood sample is provided.

Abstract: An efficient agitator system capable of high speed agitation without excessive vibration is provided by use of an inclined-axis portion on a motor drive shaft and providing a driven oscillatory member coupled thereto with high speed bearing means and arranged to be agitated but not rotated about the drive shaft axis. A highly durable plastic flexing member is provided, one end being fixed relative to the drive motor and the opposite end being attached to the driven oscillatory member to flex outward and inward as the shaft rotates while restraining the oscillatory member against rotation. Transmitted vibration is minimized by resilient mounting of the base and by providing intersection of the motor shaft axis and the inclined axis substantially centrally within the driven oscillatory member.