Blood coagulation time determination appts. - has sample tube cooperating with magnetic stirrer and vertically maintained within channel by spring loaded ball acting on side wall

摘要

An electrical heating element (120) is embedded in a metallic block (110) containing a measuring channel (80), to maintain uniform temp. The blood sample tube (5) is inserted vertically into the channel and contains a stainless steel ball (7) resting on it's base. The ball (7) is rotated through a magnetic stirring arrangement (6), to ensure proper mixing of the sample. The sample tube (5) is maintained in the channel (80) by a spring (200) acting against a ball which presses against the side of the tube (5) through an orifice in the side of the channel (80). The spring is tightenable by a screw and ensures sufficient support for the tube (5) while permitting ease of entry and removal. A light source (14) and detector (15) are provided on respective sides of the channel (80) to cooperate with an optical sensing arrangement (13) to detect the motion of the ball (5).