Abstract: An apparatus for detecting changes in a property of a liquid/reagent mixture comprises a cartridge having a fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir, one or more fluid-receiving chambers, one or more conduit(s) that permit(s) fluid communication between the fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir and the fluid-receiving chamber(s) and wherein the one or more conduits have a constricted passage for increasing the velocity of fluid flow through said constricted passage and thereby more thoroughly mixing the liquid (e.g., human blood) and a reagent (e.g., protamine).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting changes in a property of a liquid/reagent mixture comprises a cartridge having a fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir, one or more fluid-receiving chambers, one or more conduit(s) that permit(s) fluid communication between the fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir and the fluid-receiving chamber(s) and wherein the one or more conduits have a constricted passage for increasing the velocity of fluid flow through said constricted passage and thereby more thoroughly mixing the liquid (e.g., human blood) and a reagent (e.g., protamine).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting changes in the viscosity of a fluid comprises a cartridge having a fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir, one or more fluid-receiving chambers, and a conduit that permits fluid communication between the fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir and the fluid-receiving chamber. Fluid is introduced into the cartridge through an injection port and fills the reservoir, moving from the reservoir through the conduit into the chamber. An air vent/fluid plug device in fluid communication with the chamber permits air to exit while the fluid enters the system but prevents the fluid from leaving after the chamber is filled. A freely movable ferromagnetic material is placed within the fluid-receiving chamber and is caused to move by an electromagnet. Changes in the viscosity of the fluid are detected by determining the position of the ferromagnetic material in the fluid-receiving chamber.

Abstract: A gas flow cartridge in which to conduct a coagulation-related test uses an elongated pin member movably positioned within a communication opening which separates a reagent chamber from a reaction chamber. A first portion of the pin member has an operative configuration for sealing the communication opening when the first portion is positioned in the communication opening. A second longitudinally displaced portion of the pin member opens the communication opening to further communication therethrough upon longitudinal movement of the pin member. At the commencement of an analytical test, a plug member is moved upwardly to contact the pin member and move the first portion out of the communication opening and the second portion into the communication opening. The upward movement of the lower plug member forces the contents of the reagent chamber through the opened communication opening and into the reaction chamber.