Abstract: An apparatus and method for accelerating the coagulation of blood and the components thereof uses the injection of an additive and gas to trigger coagulation. The appartus is designed to include a disposable multi-cell pack for minimizing manual handling of the blood and for minimizing exposure thereof to foreign surfaces with each cell containing a specimen of blood disposed above, but separated from, a predetermined amount of additive by means of a releasable cap. The cell pack containing the multiplicity of cells is inserted over a corresponding multiplicity of gas injection nozzles which effect the release of the caps in each cell for injecting the additive and the gas into the blood. As the gas passes through the blood, bubbles that are continually formed in the space above the blood burst and blood transported therein refluxes back into the blood below until coagulation occurs.

Abstract: A system for determining the coagulation time of blood and components thereof, the amount of anticoagulant to be injected before and during surgery, and the amount of additive required to neutralize the anticoagulated blood during and after surgery. With collected samples of anticoagulated blood inserted into the system coagulation of the blood is accelerated through the controlled injection of a neutralizing additive by a corresponding injection of regulated gas. Failsafe means determine if gas is being injected into the sample and detection means detect the event of coagulation and indicate the elapsed time for coagulation. Before surgery, an anticoagulant is added to the patient's blood in a quantity necessary to avoid coagulation during surgery. The system responsive to the parameters of the patient's sex, height, and weight and/or pump volume and blood volume determines the amount of anticoagulant to be injected.