DE2014123A1 - - Google Patents

Description

systems, mc.

Ehiladelphia / Penn sylvan ia / USA

Device for measuring the clotting time of a blood sample

The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the clotting time of a blood sample. In particular, the invention relates a device for measuring the clotting time of a in a container arranged blood sample with a device rotatably arranged about a vertical axis, an electric motor for the rotary drive of this device, a device to measure the duration of this rotary drive, one with the rotatable device permanently connected switch to control the power supply to the measuring device and the drive motor, a holder for the container containing the blood to be examined, which is located under the rotatable device in such a position is arranged that the longitudinal axis of the stick of the stirrer of each bag attached to the holder holder extends in extension of the axis of rotation of the device, one in coaxial with the axis of rotation of the device Position of the spindle attached to it, which is pivotable about the axis, means for releasably coupling the lower end the spindle to the rod of the container, at least one setting pin firmly connected to the spindle for the Spindle, two stops that create a position by alternately stopping the setting pin against each of them

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set, namely the first a first critical angle position of the spindle with respect to the rotatable device and the second one in relation to the device by the drive motor mediated sense of rotation behind the first position lying second limit angle position, an actuating part for the switch, which is kinematically firmly connected to the spindle and is set up in such a way that it turns the switch in the closing direction actuated when the spindle is brought into its first critical angle position, with part of the spindle in this holds the first position as long as that acting on the spindle and opposing the rotational movement of the device Moment of resistance remains below a given value.

The coagulation of human blood is the result of a particularly complex biochemical process in which a dozen components called "factors" are in play, which, as agreed, by means of Roman numerals I, II, III etc. are included in a list.

The absence or inadequacy of one or more of these factors leads to worsened, yes even for certain factors of an impossible coagulation of the blood and almost always for certain organs, especially the liver, to more or less pronounced Complaints as well as various metabolic disorders.

The determination of any incorrect or missing factors in a blood is evidently very important, whether it be for determining the most appropriate therapies for remedial action or for containment certain damage to health that may have been established in a patient or as a precautionary measure, such as for example, before every surgical procedure to avoid it from bleeding.

This examination is also of particular importance in the context of the care of those suffering from thrombosis Patients who take anticoagulants in an amount

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Must be administered taking into account the obvious which must be determined at the onset of thrombosis abnormal factors.

Of the previously known tests used to carry out this investigation, the one proposed by A. QUICK is one of the easiest and fastest to carry out. This test, which essentially serves to identify possible inadequacies in the concentration of factors 1, II, Y, VII and X of the blood, is carried out largely as follows: After freshly drawn blood, a solution of anticoagulant (trisodium citrate or sodium oxalate) Solution) has been added, which causes the elimination of the GA ⁺ ions (factor IV) from the blood and prevents coagulation, the whole thing is subjected to a centrifugal process and the remaining plasma obtained is removed. Then, this extract is an equal Kenge a "thrombokinase ^w suspension (tissue extract containing the factor III of the blood corresponds) is added and brought the whole to a temperature of 37 ⁰ C. This will in this Geeisch a placed also at 37 ° C calcium chloride Solution (addition of cS ⁺ ions) introduced and the coagulation time of the resulting composite liquid "measured."

According to an implementation variant proposed by SOULIEH With this test it is possible to test the plasma extract to replace freshly drawn whole blood.

Venn the concentration of factors I, II, V, VII and X des examined blood is normal, the clotting time is depending on the effectiveness of the thrombokinase used in the In the order of Ί0 to 15 seconds. On the other hand, shows one clotting time longer than that obtained with normal blood Defect in one or more factors without indicating which it is,

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so that other tests must then enable the determination of these factors *

Hessing of this coagulation time, which was initially carried out with the help of a simple timer operated by an operator at will on the basis of a visual assessment of the compound liquid achieved by the examined The coagulation state stopped has been carried out automatically for some time with the help of various devices.

United States Patent 3,053,078 is one of one Viscometer existing device known with one in the to be examined, in one with constant speed in Rotary motion displaced container arranged, compound liquid immersed rotatable pushbutton. This one Button is assigned to an electrical switch for controlling the power supply on the one hand to the drive motor for the container and on the other hand a time counter. This switch is turned by the push button in the direction of his to open when the viscosity of the liquid under investigation has a certain coagulation condition of blood or blood-plasma - ^ e characteristic of the compound fluid subjected to the test The limit value is reached at which the pushbutton is then sufficiently penetrated by the liquid is driven to operate the switch. The display then delivered by the time counter corresponds to Clotting time of the blood examined.

In addition, through the known Dutch patent application No. 6814790, another device for measuring is available the coagulation time has become known in which one uses containers with three chambers or compartments, one of which the first contains a calcium salt and the second thrombokinase and both are intended to be used with the test Blood plasma receiving third chamber in connection

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to be set, the third chamber containing a stirrer consisting of a magnetizable rod. This The device is also a viscometer with a holder for the container - a rotatable magnet, a magnetizable one Anchor that extends from this magnet to the vicinity of the third chamber of the container attached to the holder extends to cause the drive in this *. "'Chamber contained magnetizable stir bar, and one surrounding the armature and connected to the terminals of a electronic detector for changes in the ^

Coil of flowing flux connected collecting "

coil, with the changes in the flow essentially from a temporal change in the relative position of the rod and the anchor as a result of the coagulation of the blood-induced viscosity increase of the liquid in which the stirring rod is displaced.

It is a container for performing a blood clotting test developed with two stacked. Chambers separated from each other by a removable partition are separated and from which "a first chamber holds the blood sample and a suspension of at least one of the blood vessels contains clotting factors in a solution of an anticoagulant, while the other chamber contains a solution of an calcium salt, the container having a stirrer having, with a portion of the opposite of the partition wall Wall consists of one piece and belongs to the upper chamber of the container, the wall section with the rest Chamber is separably connected and the stirrer one in a substantially vertical position above the upper one Has chamber protruding drive rod.

This container can be put into operation by inserting into the first chamber a metered amount of the substance to be examined

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Blood is introduced, the contents of the two chambers up a temperature of 37 ° C is brought, a pressure γοη sufficient force is exerted on the rod of the stirrer, around the stirrer first into the first chamber and then, after removing the removable partition, into the second chamber introduce, the stirrer is set in rotary motion, in particular the liquid content of each chamber with that of the to mix homogeneously with other chamber, and finally the period of time is determined, which corresponds to the time of bringing into connection the two chambers of the container are separated from each other from the point in time at which the stirrer is applied moment of resistance acting and based on the viscosity of the composite liquid filling the container one corresponding to a precisely determined coagulation state of the blood contained in this liquid certain limit reached.

The invention is based on the object of providing a device for automatically measuring the coagulation time in one To create containers of the aforementioned type arranged blood sample.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the spindle is axially displaceable with respect to the rotatable device,

that the rotatable device is arranged coaxially to its axis of rotation and the spindle over part of it Length enclosing sleeve made of insulating material, the wall of the sleeve is provided with a longitudinal slot, in the opening of which engages the adjusting pin of the spindle and its edges at the upper and lower ends of a third or form a fourth stop, which are intended to be used by the respective stop with the adjustment pin define a limit position, namely the third stop a first axial limit position of the spindle, in which they are at a distance from the one on the holder

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Brought container remains, and the fourth -stop one second axial limit position of the spindle, in which it is connected to the stirrer of the container by means of the coupling means is engaged, the stirrer has penetrated the chambers of the container and the partition and the-Vandab * cut has been removed from its operative position are, one of the longitudinal edges of the slot extends over its entire length in the vertical direction and with its lower part forms the first stop that Second longitudinal edge of the slot on the one hand extends from the upper edge of the slot in a vertical direction having extending first portion which is intended to cooperate with the adjustment pin a corresponding part of the first longitudinal edge over most of its displacement between the third and fourth stop and vice versa force a straight path of movement so that the spindle over a corresponding distance of their axial movement path between the axial limit positions is held in their first critical angle position, and on the other hand one has in the direction of the lower edge of the slot away from the first longitudinal edge portion, of which a part adjacent to the lower edge forms the contested stop,

that the actuating part for the switch consists of the adjustment pin of the spindle,

that the switch contains an elastic contact tongue, one rest position to open the switch and one can assume the spread position to close the switch and which has at least one support element which, when the contact tongue is in the rest position, into the Inside the slot of the sleeve protrudes, namely in the portion that is through the adjustment pin of the spindle assumed at the same time against the first longitudinal edge and against the lower edge of the slot adjacent position

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and at a depth that is sufficient to move the elastic contact tongue when the adjustment pin is brought to this point by pushing the pin back into its splayed position,

and that the device has an operating rod connected to the spindle possesses, which lead the spindle by displacement from its first into its second axial limit position can and vice versa.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a section according to III-III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a partial section according to IV-IV in Fig. 2, on a larger scale,

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to the view according to ™ Fig. 4- determine in a different relative position

ter elements,

Fig. 6 shows a section according to VI-VI in Fig. 4-,

Figure 7 is a view of the elements shown in Figure 4- looking in the direction of the Arrow A, which illustrates certain elements in side view and others in vertical section,

8 shows an electrical circuit diagram of the device,

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9, 10 and 11 three successive phases of the type of actuation of the device. Figs. 1 to 3.

The device according to the invention is particularly for implementation of the two final stages of blood coagulation measurement tests , namely of the phases:

a) bringing together and mixing

of the blood with coagulation reagents, " *

b) the determination of a given coagulation state of blood and measuring the ..

The amount of time it takes for the examined blood to reach this state from the point in time the implementation of phase a) of the test. .

To this end, the blood and that of its coagulation are used necessary "reagents" introduced into containers of the type described, which are shown in Fig. 9, 10, 11 in vertical section are shown.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 9, a sol- | rather, container formed by nesting the ends of two tubular parts 1 and 2, for example made of polyethylene or polypropylene, in the interior of which three walls are arranged, the first of which consists of the lower end of a rod 3 arranged coaxially with it in part 1 The second, 4, consists of a circular plate attached with its edge to the part-2 by means of a tearable annular membrane, and the third, 5 "consists of a disk driven into the opening of the part 2. It should also be noted that the rod 3 is attached to the part Λ by means of a tearable annular membrane with the edge of its lower end.

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These three walls delimit a first chamber E ^ in parts 1 and 2 and a second chamber Ep in part 2.

In the first chamber E. that contains the blood sample to be examined is a suspension of a blood coagulation factor in a solution of an anticoagulant for the Blood arranged. For example, it can be a thrombokinase suspension in a trisodium citrate or sodium oxalate solution Act.

In the second chamber Ep, a solution of a calcium salt, for example a calcium chloride solution, is arranged, which is chemically equivalent to the anticoagulant solution contained in the chamber E ^. In addition, the volume of the solution occupying chamber E ^ is the same as that of chamber E _x . ingesting coagulation factor suspension in an anticoagulant solution.

The latter volume is at most equal to half the total volume of the chamber E _-1 , since the chamber E _x . in addition, an amount of the blood to be examined that corresponds to the amount of the suspension is to take up.

The container described is already ready for use for the user, ie with chambers E _x filled with the liquids mentioned. and Ep, delivered.

After the blood sample to be examined has been taken up , the container is subjected to an axial acceleration so that the liquid filling the chamber E ^ is brought into the section of this chamber belonging to the part Λ. Then, the two tubular parts 1 and 2 are separated from each other by pulling them apart, and the blood sample is to be tested in the other, ie in the part 2 belonging to the portion of the chamber E ^

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introduced, whereupon the container is closed again. ^{Since the Ca "+} ions contained in the blood are bound by the trisodium citrate or the sodium oxalate, depending on the anticoagulant used for the coagulation factor suspension arranged in the chamber E ^, this blood does not coagulate.

From this time on the unit described in detail below <is used according to the invention. This device (FIGS. 1 to 3) has a housing which has a rectangular J | resting with pillars 11 on a base (not shown)

Includes bottom 10 made of plastic, on the right edge also a rectangular vertical wall 12 is attached, for example made of plastic, which has a switch 13 for Control of the power supply of the device carries. To the case also includes a hood 14 attached to the three free Edges of the floor 10 and the wall 12 by means of not shown Screws is attached.

A synchronous motor M is attached to the floor 10, to which a reduction gear D is assigned, the secondary shaft d of which is connected to a horizontal shaft 15 by means of an elastic coupling sleeve 16. This shaft is rotatably mounted in two flanges 17a and 17b, which has the frame 17 of a counter 18 fastened to the floor 10 and provided with number wheels 19, whose takes ^{place, for} Ahlen wheels 19 effecting pinion 21st The number wheels 19 are each driven in the usual way by the number wheel of the preceding decimal place.

Since the counter 18 is connected to the shaft 15 and thus via the Reduction gear D to the ibt or K is directly coupled and the Jffotor with practically constant. Speed is a synchronous motor, the running

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Determine the duration of the motor by reading the on the counter 18 displayed number as a measure of this rotary movement; of course, on the condition that the counter 18 before starting of the motor M has been reset to zero. Provided that starting from the left the first number wheel (Fig. 1) with the numbers from O to 9, the second number wheel with the numbers from 0 to 5, the third with the numbers from 0 to 9 and the fourth is also provided with the numbers from 0 to 9, the Counter 15 a maximum of 9 minutes, 59 seconds and 9 tenths of a millimeter provide appropriate notification. The counter 18 can therefore be used to display the coagulation time in the QUICK test, since this time is normally in the size range from 1C to 15 seconds.

To set the counter to zero, it is sufficient to drive the pinion 21 in the direction of rotation of the normal drive via the Gear 20 opposite direction of rotation. For this purpose, the shaft carrying the pinion 21 passes through the flange 17b of the frame 17 and has a pinion 22 at its free end, that on the one hand with a with a vertical rod 23 fixed connected rack 23a and on the other hand with a gear 24 (Fig. 5) is engaged. This gear is on one, on the 3oden 10 vertically attached approach 24a rotatable ange'r avenges and stands with one at one end of one Shaft 26 (Fir. 5) formed worm 25 in engagement.

The rod 2J has a length which is greater than the height the housing of the device. It can be moved vertically by fitting it in two openings, one above the other in the Bottom 10 or ir. Upper part of the hood 14- are formed.

Above the rack 2Yes, the rod 23 carries a horizontal one Claw 27 and at its upper end a button for detecting the rod and for its axial adjustment between a first, lower, position shown in Fig. 1 and a further, upper, position in which the claw 27 is close to the hood, and vice versa.

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The amplitude of this adjustment is sufficient to zero of the counter 18 to be carried out when the rod 23 moves from its upper position to its lower position is brought.

The shaft 15 has at its opposite the coupling sleeve 16 free end of a bevel gear 29 which is in engagement with a second bevel gear 30. The bevel gear 30 is on the cylindrical foot 31a of a tubular part 31 (Jig. 1 and 4) attached, in one in the bottom 10 '^ formed circular opening 10a is rotatably mounted. The part 31 carries at the upper end of its central passage a Metallhüls.e 32j in a circular opening 33'a which is fixed in one with the wall 12 of the housing connected metal bridge 33 'is provided, rotatably mounted and arranged exactly above the opening 10a of the bottom 10 is. Spring washers 34a and 34b have the effect that the tubular part 31 in a precisely defined axial Location is held.

As shown in detail in FIG. 7, in the part 31 in the longitudinal direction a slot 35 with in its upper part 35a relatively close together, to one another | parallel edges are provided, the width of which in its lower part 35b is approximately three times the width in part 35a

amounts to. . ' .

In front of this slot 35, the part 31 carries an elastic Contact blade 36 made of metal, which by means of a screw 36a is fastened to the part 31 and has electrical contact with the sleeve 32 via this screw. The lamella 36 is therefore over the sleeve 32 and the spring washer 34b galvanically connected to bridge 33 '.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the lamella 36 is in the vicinity their lower end at 36b slightly curved or curved,

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in such a way that this bend protrudes into the slot 35 of the part 31 when the lamella is in the rest position. Also is the Laraelle 36 with its lower end in one in the top of the bevel gear 30 formed annular recess 30a introduced, namely with Lanre removed from the bevel gear, as long as the lamella 36 is in its rest position Fig. 5 is, or lying against the bevel gear position when they protrude through a slot 35 and against the bend 36b of the lamella (Fig. 4) for support brought plunger 37 is removed from this rest position.

Since the bevel gear 30 and the spring washer 34a are galvanically connected to the bridge 33 ″, the result is that when the elastic contact lamella 36 is brought into the spread position according to FIG. 4, the bridges 33 ′ and 33 ^″ are galvanically connected to one another are, while they are isolated from each other in the rest position of the lamella shown in FIG.

The lamella 36 and the inner surface of the recess 30a of the Bevel gear 30 thus form the movable or stationary one Contact of a circuit breaker designated by I in the circuit diagram according to FIG. 8, which is between a connecting terminal of the synchronous motor M for driving the device and one pole of the control switch 13 for the power supply of the device.

The bridge 33 '(see Figs. 2 and 8) is namely over a Connection ρ on the one hand to the motor M and on the other hand to a contact of a compensation capacitor C connected sen, while the bridge 33 ″ is connected to the movable contact of the control switch 13 via a connection q is.

The motor M and the other contact of the capacitor C are connected via a connection m to a line V of the lines of a single-phase alternating voltage network V-O.

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The fixed contact of the switch 13 is connected to the other line O of the network via a connection η.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the aforementioned plunger is 37 on one of the tubular part 31 protruding in the axial direction and on the one hand in the foot 31a of the part 31 and on the other hand in an inserted into the metal sleeve 32 Plastic sleeve 59 displaceably arranged spindle 38 appropriate. In addition to this displacement movement, the spindle can make a slight angular adjustment about its longitudinal axis lead, their amplitude by the alternating nudges of the plunger 37 against the enlarged part 35b of the Slot 35 delimiting portion of one and the other The longitudinal edge of this section is limited. Fig. 6 clearly shows the two critical angle positions that the Can occupy the plunger 37 in the part 35b of the slot 35, * which two critical angle positions of the spindle 38 correspond to " In the first of these Grenswinkel positions, the plunger 37 is shown fully extended, while in FIG the second critical angle position shown in phantom and is denoted by 37 '. The spindle 38 can opposite the tubular part 31 occupy two axial limit positions, namely a first, upper, position in which I it is over the plunger 37 against the upper edge of the Slot 35 is supported (not shown in the drawing Position), and a second, lower position according to FIG. 4 and 7 * in which the plunger 37 on the lower edge of the Slot 35 rests. If the spindle 38 is also the second axial position and its first angular position is assumed, the ram 37 is at its tip with the furthest protruding part of the bent portion 36b of the Lamella 36 in contact, and only under these conditions the lamella with its free end is connected to the bevel gear 30 brought into contact. Ba also the mutually parallel strips of the section 35a of the slot 35 somewhat

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are further separated from one another than the width of the plunger 37, it results from the fact that the plunger is not only between these edges is freely movable when, for example, the spindle 38 from its upper position to its lower Position is brought, but that this displacement movement also takes place while the spindle is in its first Limit angle position is held.

In addition, the tappet 37 remains from the lamella in this case 36 removed so that during most of his Hubes between the upper edge of the slot 35 and his The lower edge of the circuit breaker I is open, the plunger only coming into contact with the lamella 36 when he brought in the immediate vicinity of their curved part 36b and the circuit breaker I only in the position visible in Fig. 4 (corresponding to the lower limit position of the spindle) Relative position of lamella 36 and tappet 37 is closed.

Under these conditions, the spindle 38 can only be omitted remove their first angular position in order to be brought into ihxe second angular position by applying a torque in directions (Fig. 6) is exerted, its intensity of the elastic force exerted on the plunger 37 by the lamella 36 and of the resulting the ram resulting frictional force is directly dependent. As described in more detail below, this Force in a precisely defined way as a function of the device to carry out the coagulation test chosen.

To adjust the spindle 38 from its first axial To be able to make limit position in its second axial limit position or vice versa, the spindle carries on its upper end of a disc 40 (Fig. 1), which with a recess 27a of the claw attached to the rod 23 in the Is engaged, in such a way that the spindle 38

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- · 17 is thus kinematically firmly connected to the rod 23.

The lower end of the spindle 38 is formed into a tip 38a and carries a cap 41, the opening of which has a somewhat larger cross-section than that of the rod 3 of a container of the type shown in FIGS. The tip 38a is to be driven into the upper end of the rod 3, as will be described in more detail below, the cap being placed on this end in order to ensure the lateral support of the rod g during the process of piercing the tip into the rod . '·

The right end of the "shaft 26 (Fig. 3) carries a bevel gear 42, which is in engagement with a bevel gear 43 rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 44. At this Axle 44 is attached to an arm 45 which has a pivotable Pawl 46 carries by means of a spring 47 with the Toothing of a gear 48 is kept in constant contact. One of the action of a spring 49a underlying second pawl 49 prevents any counterclockwise rotation of the gear 48 (Fig. 2). "· *

- V ■ -. ■ '. ■ ■ - -. ■■ "■: ■.; Ί

The gearwheel 48 is on the upper end of a hollow shaft 50, which are rotatably mounted in a bearing 51 which is inserted into a passage 10b of the floor 10 and fixed to the floor.

At its lower end, the hollow shaft carries a metal plate 52, for example made of aluminum, on the upper side of which ten cylindrical stools 52a protrude at the same distance from one another. Each of these stools has a diameter and a height that corresponds to the diameter, respectively. correspond to the depth of the recess which the lower portion of the part 2 of the container has between its wall 5 and its end (Fig. 9).

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In the plate 52 is a -ringförmiger electrical resistance R (Fig. 3 and 8) arranged, which is isolated in a suitable manner against the plate and to heat the plate to keep it at a temperature of 37 ⁰ C. The current is fed to this resistor via electrical conductors 53 running inside the hollow shaft 50 and via four contact rings 55, which carry a bushing 54- made of insulating material attached to the upper end of the hollow shaft 50 and of which the two lower ones are connected to this conductor.

In one of the stool 52a also is a thermocouple T affixed, via two likewise runs in the interior of the hollow shaft 50 and upper of the two contact rings 55 of the socket ^ A (Fig. 3) ending lead wires 57 to a switch 58 (Fig. 2 and 8) is connected. A pair of grinding brushes 59 connects the contact rings of the thermocouple T with the changeover switch 58. In a corresponding manner, a second pair of grinding brushes 60 connects one of the contact rings to which the ends of the resistor R are connected to the changeover switch 58 and the other via the connections r and m with line Y of the power supply network for the device. The changeover switch 58 is also connected to the switch 13 via a connection t (FIG. 8). This changeover switch 58 is set up in such a way that it feeds the resistor R as long as the thermocouple T indicates that the TeHLer 52 has a temperature below 37 ° C, so that the blood to be examined and the reagents (thrombokinase, CaCIg) Containing container and placed on plate 52 are kept at this temperature for the entire duration of the test.

Before fully describing the operation of the described Device, it should be noted that:

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a) the space of the hollow shaft 50 and the dimensions of the plate 52 are such that when rotating the plate the individual containers carried by him according to the Rotational movement in each case pass very precisely directly under the spindle 38 j

b) the number of teeth of the gear 48 is equal to the number of cusps 52a of plate 52 istj

c) when taking the example shown in FIG lower position through, the rod 23 the pawl 4-6 itself in their position shown in phantom in FIG and they take into account the acting | Reductions are only shown in full Assumes position when the rod is in one of the first axial position (upper position) of the. Spindle 38 has been brought into the appropriate position. The plate 52 can only be driven in direction F ^ (Fig. 2) and is prevented by the pawl 49 from being in opposite direction move so that the pawl 46 jumps over the teeth of the gear 48, if it is returned to the position shown in dash-dotted lines}

d) the length of the spindle 38 is such that in its first (upper) axial position the tip 38a of the spindle itself above the level of the top edge of the plate 52 carried container is located

To use the device described, the rod 23 is first brought up, which has the opening of the circuit breaker I (Fig. 8) eur ^ olge, the plunger 37 is guided to above the bent portion of the lamella 36 and the lamella is at a distance of the bevel gear 30 is located (Fig. 5). The switch is then closed, so that the resistor R of the plate 52 'is supplied with current and the plate is heated to 3 ° C. Bann are attached to the plate 52, ten containers, as described, each on the one hand their dosed amount

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a mixture of blood and thrombokinase suspension in a trisodium citrate solution and, on the other hand, its dosed Amount of calcium chloride solution, these dosed amounts up to a temperature of 37 ° C beforehand have been heated, for example by bringing the container into an environment having this temperature became.

At this point the counter 18 shows zero and stands the motor M is still. The rod 23 is then brought into its lower position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Since the spindle 38 is kinematically fixed with this rod 23 is connected and its cap 38a is slightly above a container attached to the plate 52, causes the rod 23 to be adjusted in the manner indicated first the penetration of the tip 38a of the spindle 38 into the upper end of the rod 3 of the container (Fig. 9) The spindle 38 then exercises, as the downward movement of the rod 23 is continued, on the rod 3 of the container an axial thrust in direction F (Fig. 9), which, if it is sufficiently strong, the tearing of the connecting the rod 3 to the tubular part 1 of the container weak annular membrane, so that the rod 3 in the chamber E ^. penetrates. Once the Rod 3 of the container extends through the chamber E ,. moved through it comes into contact with the platelet 4- (Fig. 10) and transmits a force to the plate which, if it is sufficiently strong, tears the plate with the tubular part 2 connecting annular membrane has the consequence, so that the rod 3 now also penetrates into the chamber Ep of the container in which the calcium chloride solution is located.

When the rod 23 reaches its lower position (Figs. 1 and 3), take the spindle 38 and the attached to this spindle Rod 3 of the container the position shown in Fig. 11, in which the firmly connected to the spindle

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The plunger 37 presses the lamella 36 against the bevel gear 30 (Switch I closed). It follows that from this Time at which the motor M runs and the counter 18, the tubular part 31 »the spindle 38 and thus also the at lower end of the spindle "attached rod 3 of the test subject container drives at the same speed.

However, from the moment the calcium chloride solution begins with the connection trisodium citrate solution-Throm-:! bokinase blood was able to mix, i.e. from the point in time on, since the wall formed by the plate 4 has given way to the liquid mixture which the container contains, to coagulate becomes more and more viscous and tries that is, to oppose the rotary movement imparted to the rod 3 and consequently the rotation of the spindle more and more. At a certain point in time, this braking effect exerted by the coagulated mixture is compared to the Holding effect of the lamella 36 on the plunger 37 predominantly. It follows that the spindle is in its second The critical angle position pivots and the plunger assumes its retracted position 37 '(FIG. 6), so that the | Lamella 36 is no longer in contact with bevel gear 30. As a result, the motor M and with it the counter 18 stops.

The numerical display supplied by the number wheels 19 of the counter 18 is for the number of revolutions that the motor M has been running since the beginning of the process, and therefore for the duration of this process is characteristic, since the motor M is a synchronous motor and its speed is practically constant is.

From the reading of this numerical display, it can therefore be derive from case to case whether the blood samples examined have normal coagulation factors or not.

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After reading the counter, the rod 23 and the their associated spindle 38 brought up what the loosening of the Spindle of the rod 3 belonging to the container "just used for the coagulation test, which is shown in FIG the container through the chambers E. and Ep of the container filling coagulated mass is retained.

This upward movement of the rod 23 is also an angular adjustment of the plate 52 over a distance sufficient to bring the second of the ten containers carried by the plate under the spindle 38. The angular adjustment of the plate 52 does not take place during the entire, from bottom to top vertical movement of the rod 23 instead of, but only after it has performed about 40% of its stroke. It is essential that the Spiidel 38 is almost ready to perform of the test has left the container used so that this container does not hit the spindle 38 when the plate 52 begins to rotate. This actuation delay of the plate is achieved in that the pawl 46 covers a distance which is greater than the step length the teeth of the wheel 48, but smaller than that Twice this step. This path can be 1.8 steps if the locking pawl 49 with the radial The flank of a tooth is in contact when the pawl 46 is in the position shown fully extended, i.e. when it is at the end of the drive path. In their> second rest position (retracted position of the pawl) is the pawl 46 from the radial flank of the tooth, against which it should then be supported, removed by a distance amounting to about 0.8 times the tooth pitch. This results in the fact that for driving or driving the gearwheel 48 and thus the plate 52 in the direction F. the pawl must first cover a distance empty, moving into contact with the edge of the tooth preceding the tooth it is intended to displace.

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Exactly during this period of time, as the pawl 46 the plate 52 does not drive or drive, the spindle 38 loosens from the container that has just been used to carry out a test.

Ee it should be noted that under the implementation of others Blood coagulation tests than the QUICK or SOULIER test Thrombokinase solution can be replaced by a solution of at least one other coagulation factor. So becomes the ' Carrying out the STYPVEN test on the thrombokinase suspension by a Lo- | containing, for example, a snake venom eung replaced. In this case the normal coagulation «In the order of magnitude of 13 to 14 seconds.

Claims t

009841/1249

Claims (5)

20H123 Claims Device for measuring the clotting time of a blood sample, namely a blood sample in a container with two on top of each other arranged chambers which are separated from one another by a removable partition and of which a first chamber holds the blood sample and a suspension of at least one of the blood coagulation factors in one Contains a solution of an anticoagulant while the other compartment contains a solution of a calcium salt, wherein the container has a stirrer with a portion of the wall opposite the partition from a Piece consists and belongs to the upper chamber of the container, the wall section is separably connected to the rest of the chamber and the stirrer has a drive rod protruding in a substantially vertical lath above the upper chamber has, with a device rotatably arranged about a vertical axis, an electric motor for the rotary drive this device, a device for measuring the duration of this rotary drive, one with the rotatable device Permanently connected switch for controlling the power supply to the measuring device and the drive motor, a holder for the container containing the blood to be examined, which is located under the rotatable device in such a position is arranged that the longitudinal axis of the rod of the stirrer a'edes on the holder mounted container extends in extension of the axis of rotation of the device, a in a position coaxial to the axis of rotation of the device, fastened to the spindle and pivotable about the axis for releasably coupling the lower end of the spindle to the rod of the container, at least one, with the spindle 009841/1249 associated setting pin for the spindle, two stops which define a position by alternating abutment of the setting pin against each of them, namely the first a first critical angle position of the spindle with respect to the rotatable device and the second one with respect to the device mediated by the drive motor Direction of rotation behind the first position, second limit angle position, an actuating part for the switch, which is kinematically connected to the spindle and is set up so that it operates the switch in the closing direction when the spindle is brought into its first limit angle position, part of which is the spindle holds in this first position as long as the moment of resistance acting on the spindle and opposing the rotational movement of the device remains below a given value, characterized in that the spindle (38) is axially displaceable relative to the rotatable device (30, 31), that the rotatable unit a sleeve (31) made of insulating material which is arranged coaxially to its axis of rotation and envelops the spindle (38) over part of its length, the wall of the sleeve is provided with a longitudinal slot (35), in the opening of which the adjusting pin (37) of the Spindle engages and the edges of which form a third and a fourth stop at the upper and lower ends, respectively, which are intended to define a limit position through the respective stop with the setting pin (37), namely the third stop, a first axial one Limit position of the spindle (38) in which it remains at a distance from the container (1, 2) mounted on the holder (52), and the. fourth stop a second axial limit position of the spindle in which it is in engagement with the stirrer (3) of the container by means of the coupling means (38a, 41) , the stirrer has penetrated into the chambers (E., E ^) of the container and the ! Partition wall and the wall section have been removed from their operative position, one of the longitudinal edges (35a) of the 009 & 41/1249 20H123 The slot (35) extends over its entire length in the vertical direction and forms the first stop with its lower part, the second longitudinal edge of the slot (35) on the one hand has a first section extending from the upper edge of the slot in the vertical direction, which is intended to force the adjustment pin (37) in cooperation with a corresponding part of the first longitudinal edge (35 &) over most of its displacement between the third and fourth stop and vice versa a straight path of movement, so that the spindle (38) over a corresponding distance its axial path of movement between the axial limit positions is held in its first limit angular position, and on the other hand has a portion which extends away from the first longitudinal edge (35a) in the direction of the lower edge of the slot and of which a part adjoining the lower edge the second .Anschlag (35b) forms that the actuating part for the Sch age (I) consists of the adjustment pin (37) of the spindle (38) that the switch (I) contains an elastic contact tongue (36) which can assume a rest position to open the switch and a spread position to close the switch and which has at least one support element (36b) which protrudes at rest position of the contact tongue in the interior of the slot (35) Hü] _ _se (31), in the section through the adjusting pin of the spindle at the same time against the first longitudinal edge ( 35a) and abutting against the lower edge of the slot position once * is taken and in a depth sufficient) to push back at _t gebrachtem to this point adjusting pin (37), the resilient contact tongue (36 by the pin in their splayed position, and that the device has an actuating rod (23) which is connected to the spindle (38) and which can guide the spindle by displacement from its first into its second axial limit position and vice versa. 0 09841/1249 ZOH123 2. Device after. . Claim 1, characterized in that the elastic contact pads (36) as the part to hold the spindle (38) in its first ■ critical angle position. forms, this holding through the bending of the contact tongue (36) resulting from and through the support element (36b) on the tip of the adjustment pin (37) force exerted on the spindle is effected. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two metal plates (33N 33 '') arranged one above the other in an exactly horizontal position, of which the first (33 ¹ ) is connected to one of the connection terminals of the motor (M), its other connection terminal is intended to be connected to a supply current source (VO) to one pole (V), and the second plate (33 ¹¹⁾ is intended to be connected to the other pole (0) of this current source, that the plates at each of the Ends of the ^ ülse (3Ό are arranged so that the sleeve is rotatably mounted with its ends in two bores, one of which for one end of the sleeve in the first plate (33 ¹ ) "and the other for the other end of the sleeve in the second plate (33 ¹¹ ) is designed so that the sleeve near the lower end of the slot (35) carries a bevel gear (30) made of metal that the bevel gear (30) with a bevel gear (29 ) driven by the motor (M) ) engages that in the above On the side of the bevel gear (30) an annular recess (30a) is formed into which the free end of the contact tongue (36) of the switch (I) protrudes, the side wall of the recess (30a) and the free end of the contact tongue (36) assume such a position with respect to one another that the contact tongue remains away from this wall in the boom position, while it, when it is guided into its spread position by the pin (37) of the spindle (38), with the side wall of the recess 009841/1249 20U123 ) of the bevel gear (30) comes into contact, and that the device also between the bevel gear (30) and the lower plate (33 ¹¹ ) arranged electrical connecting parts (34a) and the elastic contact tongue (36) with the upper plate (33 ') connecting electrical connection parts (36a, 32, 34b). 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by a turntable (52) which has a row of holders (52a) for a corresponding number of containers (1, 2) arranged in a ring around the axis of rotation of the turntable and under the rotatable device (30, 31) is arranged eccentrically with respect to its axis of rotation so that this axis is only coaxial with one of the folders (52a) of the turntable, a switching mechanism (45, 46, 47, 49) for the step-by-step drive of the turntable via one for each step an angular distance separating two adjacent holders from each other, a drive for the pawl (46) of the locking mechanism controlled by the actuating rod (23), the drive and the locking mechanism being operated in such a way that they only cause the rotary drive of the turntable (52) when the spindle (38) is guided from its second axial limit position into its first axial limit position and from the point in time at which the spindle (38) is moved from the to e A container (1, 2) occupying a coaxial position is released. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the turntable (52) is made of metal and contains a heating resistor (E) which is connected to a pole (V) of the power source, and a thermocouple (T) , wherein the resistor (R) and the thermocouple (T) with the cash register of the turntable (52) have thermal contact and the thermocouple controls a changeover switch (58) that connects the resistor (R) to the other pole (0) of the current source can close to when the direction indicated by the thermocouple 009841/1249 ■ .'- ■■■■■ "V. - 29 - ■ - Temperature of the turntable is below 37 ° C, and this Connection can interrupt at higher values of the temperature of the turntable (52). 6, device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Device for measuring the duration of the drive by the Motor (M) a mechanical counter (18) is with a Zeroing mechanism for the number wheels (19) of the counter that, this mechanism contains a rotatable shaft, which it in a certain direction of the mediated rotational movement in the sense of a! zero position of the number wheels controls that the shaft carries a drive pinion (22) with the toothing of one with the actuating rod (23) kinematically firmly connected rack (23a) is in engagement, which is actuated so that the the pinion (22) drives in the specific direction of rotation when the actuating rod (23) is out of its first axial limit position the spindle (38) corresponding position in its corresponding to the second axial limit position of the spindle Position is brought. Size - 22 258 'ti' .: 009841/1249