Abstract: This determination method comprises the steps consisting of providing a reaction vessel (2) containing a blood sample (33) and a ferromagnetic ball (11) placed on a raceway (9) provided in the bottom of the reaction vessel (2), subjecting the ball (11) to a magnetic field so as to move the ball along the raceway (9) in an oscillatory motion, exposing the blood sample to an incident light beam (36), detecting a light beam (38) transmitted through the reaction vessel (2) and coming from the incident light beam (36) in such a way as to provide a measurement signal, carrying out a first processing of the measurement signal in such a way as to provide a first signal representative of the variation of at least one physical quantity representative of the movement of the ball (11), carrying out a second processing of the measurement signal in such a way as to provide a second signal representative of the variation of at least one optical property of the blood sample, determining a first value of the coagulation time

Abstract: A surface inspecting apparatus can inspect a smaller defect by using a PSL of a smaller particle size. However, the particle size of the PSL is restricted. In the conventional surface inspecting apparatus, therefore, no consideration has been taken as to how to inspect the defect of such a small particle size as is not set in the PSL which will be needed in the near future in an inspection of a semiconductor manufacturing step. The invention has a light source device for generating light which simulated at least one of a wavelength, a light intensity, a time-dependent change of the light intensity, and a polarization of light which was scattered, diffracted, or reflected by an inspection object, and the light is inputted to a photodetector of the surface inspecting apparatus. The smaller defect can be inspected.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a cytometry system including a handling system that enables presentation of single cells to at least one laser source. The laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce bond vibrations in the cellular DNA. The system further includes a detection facility that detects the signature of the bond vibrations, wherein the bond vibration signature is used to calculate a DNA content carried by the cell.

Abstract: Device, method, and computer program product for determining a material parameter of a blood coagulation cascade based on parameters of light diffused at a biofluid sample. In one example, the biofluid sample includes a blood sample. Laser light scattered by the sample is collected by the optical system in reflection and/or transmission mode. An image of the sample in so collected light is formed, and data representing fluctuations of laser speckle intensity with is processed to derive numerical descriptors associated with blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. In a specific case, such numerical descriptors are derived based on temporal dynamic of a viscoelastic characteristic of the blood sample.

Abstract: A blood coagulation detection device includes a micro channel unit, an optical signal unit, an opto-electronic conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a filter circuit. The micro channel unit has a sample detection area. The optical signal unit transmits a reference light to the micro channel unit so as to form a message light. The opto-electronic conversion circuit receives the message light and converts the message light into an electrical signal. The amplifier circuit is electrically connected to the opto-electronic conversion circuit for amplifying the electrical signal. The filter circuit is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit for filtering the amplified electrical signal.

Abstract: An optical blood coagulation monitor and method. The monitor has a blood sample holder, a laser with its output light directed through the blood sample, a two-dimensional detector that is able to detect light at the laser light wavelength and that has a detector output, optics for imaging onto the detector laser light that is forward scattered by the blood, and a data analysis system, responsive to the detector output, that is adapted to analyze the detected light to provide information on time-resolved coagulation and clotting properties of the blood.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for using actuated surface-attached posts for assessing biofluid rheology are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for testing properties of a biofluid specimen includes placing the specimen onto a micropost array having a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and generating an actuation force in proximity to the micropost array to actuate the microposts, thereby compelling at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion. The method further includes measuring the motion of at least one of the microposts in response to the actuation force and determining a property of the specimen based on the measured motion of the at least one micropost.

Abstract: When assessing the start time of the limulus reaction between biogenous biologically active substances and LAL and using the reaction start time to determine the concentration of the biogenous biologically active substances, in order to exclude the influence of progressive changes which occur regardless of the conditions of the limulus reaction, the strength of transmitted light or scattered light in the liquid mixture of the measurement sample and LAL is detected, the variation (delta) in the transmittance or number of gel particles is acquired at set intervals, and the time when the variation (delta) crosses a threshold value is taken as the reaction start time. Furthermore, the time intervals when acquiring the abovementioned delta are not uniform, and either change over time from the start of measurement as defined by a time function, or multiple sequences with differing time intervals are prepared in advance.

Abstract: A blood analyzing device (100) comprises a holder (110) for receiving a cuvette (20) with a blood sample (30). The device (100) induces a movement of the blood cells in the sample (30) by applying a field (230) over the cuvette (20). A detector (130) detects, based on output light from the blood sample (30) originating from a light source (120), a change in the induced movement of the cells caused by an increase in viscosity of the blood due to an aggregation and/or coagulation process. A processor (140) processes the detector reading and generates a signal representative of the hemostasis function of the tested blood.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. The inventive methods and apparatus provide an International Normalization Ratio (INR) based on a coagulation reaction with a blood sample of a living being. Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or an ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent, where the coagulation reagent may be selected from a number of coagulation reagents.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel having unknown or variable composition is described and shown herein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of assaying circulating microparticles contained in a sample of whole blood or blood plasma from a patient to determine the patient's ability to generate thrombin or Factor Xa as blood-clotting factors, wherein the circulating microparticles are microparticles of platelets, endothelial cells, monocytes, and smooth muscle cells, which carry on their surfaces both negatively charged phospholipids as well as tissue factor. The results of the assay may be used to determine the ability of the patient to generate thrombin or Factor Xa as blood clotting factor based upon the circulating microparticles.

Abstract: A blood sample sensing apparatus includes a moving device which moves a sample container containing a blood sample to a sensing position, a turning mechanism which is connected to the moving device and tilts the sample container such that a bottom of the sample container is directed upward when the sample container is located in the sensing position, and an optical sensor which is located in the sensing position and determines whether the blood sample in the sample container is coagulated.

Abstract: An analyzing method of a blood coagulation reaction by detecting an optical change of a blood sample with an elapse of time, the method includes: setting at least one checkpoint or check region between a starting point of the blood coagulation reaction and the endpoint thereof; and monitoring a reaction state of the blood coagulation reaction at the checkpoint or in the check region to detect an abnormality of the blood coagulation reaction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a new anticoagulant therapy factor (nATF) for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. In one embodiment, the new anticoagulant therapy factor is based upon a determination of a new fibrinogen transformation rate (nFTR) which, in turn, is dependent on a maximum acceleration point (MAP) for fibrinogen (FBG) conversion. The new anticoagulant therapy factor quantity is also based upon the time to maximum acceleration from the time of reagent injection (TX) into a plasma sample, but does not require the difficulty of obtaining prior art International Normalized Ratio (INR) and International Sensitivity Index (ISI) parameters. Other embodiments provide methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or ISI.

Abstract: A system for performing a blood coagulation assay, having: a reaction chamber; at least one moveable member configured to mix contents of the reaction chamber; a sensor configured to detect the presence of a blood clot formed in the reaction chamber; and a timer that measures an interval of time between when a blood sample is received into the reaction chamber and when the sensor detects the blood clot formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods for predicting the presence of haemostatic dysfunction in a patient from a time-dependent measurement profile include performing a time-dependent measurement on an unknown sample and measuring a respective property over time so as to derive a time-dependent measurement profile. The slope of the time-dependent measurement profile is computed prior to clot formation. A biphasic waveform is detected in the time-dependent measurement profile based on the computed slope. The presence of haemostatic dysfunction in the patient is predicted based on the detected biphasic waveform.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for detecting a ligand in a liquid, based on deflection of one or more microscopic cantilevers. Each cantilever has an optical waveguide fixed thereto or integral therewith. Deflection of the cantilever is detected by assessing coupling of light between the optical waveguide on the cantilever and an optical waveguide fixed distally thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the stability of dispersions and emulsions accelerates the onset of significant particle agglomeration in a sample by stressing the sample by reducing the height of the interparticle potential energy barrier between the particles. This is achieved by adding one or more of three stress factors: changing the pH of the sample to reduce the surface charge on the particles; adding an adsorbing electrolyte so that ions of the appropriate charge are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the particles to reduce the net charge on the particles; and applying a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent salt to partially screen electrostatic repulsions between the charged particles. In a preferred embodiment, the increase in agglomeration is detected with single particle detection, such as SPOS, to generate a PSD from which a figure of merit is derived. Another embodiment detects turbidity or light scattering to generate a value X indicative of the extent of agglomeration.

Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for detecting a ligand in a liquid, based on deflection of one or more microscopic cantilevers. Each cantilever has an optical waveguide fixed thereto or integral therewith. Deflection of the cantilever is detected by assessing coupling of light between the optical waveguide on the cantilever and an optical waveguide fixed distally thereto.

Abstract: A cloud point monitoring device which includes thermal conductive surface, cooler, temperature sensor, detection volume, detection wall unit, fiber optic cables for transmitting light, lighter emitter, light detector, and a data acquisition and control unit. The cloud point monitoring device provides an instrument to accurately measure the cloud point of diesel fuel indicate the approximate level of crystallization in diesel fuel that has been chilled beyond its cloud point and indicate the approximate energy content of diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring device design allows it to be made small enough to be mounted in a fuel system of a vehicle.

Abstract: To investigate the flowability of a physiological fluid sample, an uptake passage (12) for the fluid sample (16), an actuator device (18) for the cyclic change in orientation of measuring particles (14) in the fluid sample (16), and a detector device (20, 22) for the preferably optical detection of the change in orientation of the measuring particles (14) are provided. In order to make reliable measurements possible with minimal instrument expense, it is proposed that the actuator device is formed by a pump unit (18) to produce a flow of the fluid sample (16) that travels back and forth along the uptake passage (12) and indicates the change in orientation of the measuring particles (14).

Abstract: A cloud point monitoring device which includes thermal conductive surface, cooler, temperature sensor, detection volume, detection wall unit, fiber optic cables for transmitting light, lighter emitter, light detector, and a data acquisition and control unit. The cloud point monitoring device provides an instrument to accurately measure the cloud point of diesel fuel indicate the approximate level of crystallization in diesel fuel that has been chilled beyond its cloud point and indicate the approximate energy content of diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring device design allows it to be made small enough to be mounted in a fuel system of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the aggregation or agglutination of platelets, where a reaction mixture is mixed in a first reaction phase, and is mixed less vigorously or not at all in a second reaction phase following the first, and the measurement is preferably carried out in the second reaction phase.

Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus of measuring both concentration and amount of a liquid in a liquid chemical container is presented, comprising viewing light emanating from a first optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid, the light emanating from the optical member having a level indicating quality; and routing light from a second optical member that is in visual contact with the liquid to means for optical discrimination between liquid chemical based on different optical properties.

Abstract: An activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test is described which employs fresh, whole blood that has not been anticoagulated. The method employs a disposable cuvette having specific reagents placed therein. A sample of whole blood is introduced into the cuvette which is drawn into at least one conduit by a pneumatic pump. Initially, the calcium in the sample is chelated at a first reaction site in the conduit, and thereafter is moved through the conduit to a second reaction site where the sample is coagulated by an APTT reagent. After a predetermined incubation time, the sample is moved to a third reaction site where it is recalcified. Clotting time is measured from the time that the sample is recalcified to the time that clot formation is visibly detected.

Abstract: A method which may be used to determine haemostatic dysfunction in a patient is carried out by (a) adding a reagent to a test sample, wherein the test sample includes at least a component of a blood sample from a patient; and then (b) measuring the formation of a precipitate due to the reaction of the test sample and the reagent, over time so as to derive a time-dependent measurement profile, the reagent forming a precipitate in the test sample without causing substantial fibrin polymerization.

Abstract: A device and method for performing blood coagulation assays, particularly prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times and other clotting parameters are disclosed. The device comprises a disposable strip (containing a sample inlet for sample delivery, a capillary channel for driving force, and a reaction chamber with an appropriate dry reagent for a specific assay) and a piezoelectric sensor. The device could also include a heating element for temperature control, and a magnetic bender. The magnetic bender is driven by an electromagnetic field generator and is attached onto a piezoelectric film in contact with the blood sample. Electric signal generated at the piezo film is characterized by its frequency and amplitude due to the movement of the attached metal film.

Abstract: An instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control includes a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. A cuvette for use with the instrument holds a sample of the biological fluid or control the characteristic of which is to be determined. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of said two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of said two opposed walls.