Abstract: Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

Abstract: A platelet impedance measurement system including an electrode assembly allows for measurement of platelet function in blood. The assembly includes a substrate that acts as a substantially rigid base and includes an electrode. A portion of the electrode is exposed such that, when the electrode is placed in blood, the exposed portion is in contact with the blood for measuring impedance changes as platelets adhere to the electrode. Wires of the electrode can be attached to each end of the substrate and can run within a groove along a portion of the substrate. The substrate includes an open area where the wires in the groove exit and re-enter the substrate at the end of the substrate, allowing the wires to be exposed to the blood. The open area includes a brace, ensuring that the exposed wires are held in the appropriate placement relative to each other and to the cuvette.

Abstract: Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use cartridge component configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site.

Abstract: Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use cartridge component configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site.

Abstract: Embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system includes a single-use cartridge component configured to measure and mix reagents with blood received from a blood sample reservoir. A mixing chamber in the single-use cartridge includes different reagent beads that, when exposed to a pre-determined volume of blood, dissolve and mix specific reagents with the blood. The assembled blood cartridge further includes configurations that are designed to prevent blood from prematurely mixing with reagent beads in the mixing chamber and to guide blood flow in the mixing chamber to dissolve reagent beads in a desired order. Thus, the mixture obtained from the mixing chamber can be readily utilized to generate results for the blood coagulation testing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system includes a single-use cartridge component configured to measure and mix reagents with blood received from a blood sample reservoir. A mixing chamber in the single-use cartridge includes different reagent beads that, when exposed to a pre-determined volume of blood, dissolve and mix specific reagents with the blood. The assembled blood cartridge further includes configurations that are designed to prevent blood from prematurely mixing with reagent beads in the mixing chamber and to guide blood flow in the mixing chamber to dissolve reagent beads in a desired order. Thus, the mixture obtained from the mixing chamber can be readily utilized to generate results for the blood coagulation testing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

Abstract: A platelet impedance measurement system including an electrode assembly allows for measurement of platelet function in blood. The assembly includes a substrate that acts as a substantially rigid base and includes an electrode. A portion of the electrode is exposed such that, when the electrode is placed in blood, the exposed portion is in contact with the blood for measuring impedance changes as platelets adhere to the electrode. Wires of the electrode can be attached to each end of the substrate and can run within a groove along a portion of the substrate. The substrate includes an open area where the wires in the groove exit and re-enter the substrate at the end of the substrate, allowing the wires to be exposed to the blood. The open area includes a brace, ensuring that the exposed wires are held in the appropriate placement relative to each other and to the cuvette.

Abstract: Embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system includes a single-use cartridge component configured to measure and mix reagents with blood received from a blood sample reservoir. A mixing chamber in the single-use cartridge includes different reagent beads that, when exposed to a pre-determined volume of blood, dissolve and mix specific reagents with the blood. The assembled blood cartridge further includes configurations that are designed to prevent blood from prematurely mixing with reagent beads in the mixing chamber and to guide blood flow in the mixing chamber to dissolve reagent beads in a desired order. Thus, the mixture obtained from the mixing chamber can be readily utilized to generate results for the blood coagulation testing system.

Abstract: A platelet impedance measurement system including an electrode assembly allows for measurement of platelet function in blood. The assembly includes a substrate that acts as a substantially rigid base and includes an electrode. A portion of the electrode is exposed such that, when the electrode is placed in blood, the exposed portion is in contact with the blood for measuring impedance changes as platelets adhere to the electrode. Wires of the electrode can be attached to each end of the substrate and can run within a groove along a portion of the substrate. The substrate includes an open area where the wires in the groove exit and re-enter the substrate at the end of the substrate, allowing the wires to be exposed to the blood. The open area includes a brace, ensuring that the exposed wires are held in the appropriate placement relative to each other and to the cuvette.

Abstract: A platelet impedance measurement system including an electrode assembly allows for measurement of platelet function in blood. The assembly includes a substrate that acts as a substantially rigid base and includes an electrode. A portion of the electrode is exposed such that, when the electrode is placed in blood, the exposed portion is in contact with the blood for measuring impedance changes as platelets adhere to the electrode. Wires of the electrode can be attached to each end of the substrate and can run within a groove along a portion of the substrate. The substrate includes an open area where the wires in the groove exit and re-enter the substrate at the end of the substrate, allowing the wires to be exposed to the blood. The open area includes a brace, ensuring that the exposed wires are held in the appropriate placement relative to each other and to the cuvette.

Abstract: The efficacy and safety of laser medical treatments are ensured by performing a combination of measurement techniques to examine tissue properties in order to control characteristics of the laser treatments of cartilaginous tissues. In some aspects, a treatment tool is provided that is capable of taking and providing feedback relating to multiple measurements, including temperature measurements (in particular, radiometry), mechanical measurements, light scattering, speckle interferometry, optoacoustic measurements, and monitoring tissue electrical characteristics. The device is capable of providing feedback during the course of laser treatment of tissue to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The efficacy and safety of laser medical treatments are ensured by performing a combination of measurement techniques to examine tissue properties in order to control characteristics of the laser treatments of cartilaginous tissues. In some aspects, a treatment tool is provided that is capable of taking and providing feedback relating to multiple measurements, including temperature measurements (in particular, radiometry), mechanical measurements, light scattering, speckle interferometry, optoacoustic measurements, and monitoring tissue electrical characteristics. The device is capable of providing feedback during the course of laser treatment of tissue to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The efficacy and safety of laser medical treatments are ensured by performing a combination of measurement techniques to examine tissue properties in order to control characteristics of the laser treatments of cartilaginous tissues. In some aspects, a treatment tool is provided that is capable of taking and providing feedback relating to multiple measurements, including temperature measurements (in particular, radiometry), mechanical measurements, light scattering, speckle interferometry, optoacoustic measurements, and monitoring tissue electrical characteristics. The device is capable of providing feedback during the course of laser treatment of tissue to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The efficacy and safety of laser medical treatments are ensured by performing a combination of measurement techniques to examine tissue properties in order to control characteristics of the laser treatments of cartilaginous tissues. In some aspects, methods of treatment are provided that are capable of taking and providing feedback relating to multiple measurements, including temperature measurements (in particular, radiometry), light scattering, speckle interferometry, optoacoustic measurements, and monitoring tissue electrical characteristics. According to various aspects, feedback is provided during the course of laser treatment of tissue to increase the safety and efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: A dilution and mixing cartridge comprising a sample application site, a mixing chamber in fluid receiving relationship to the sample application site, a diluent application site in fluid donating relationship to the mixing chamber, a first valve means selectively preventing flow from the diluent application site to the mixing chamber, and a mixture isolating chamber hydrostatically connected to the mixing chamber is provided along with a method for using this cartridge to sequentially dilute a sample with the same or different diluents.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for carrying out activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) analysis on a whole blood sample to which no anticoagulant has been added by applying the sample to a capillary track contained in a housing, wherein the capillary track comprises sample entry and venting ports, at least one capillary track connecting the entry and venting ports, and reagents capable of initiating an APTT analysis, wherein clotting time is measured by the cessation of blood flow in the capillary track.