METHOD AND MEANS FOR DETERMINING OXYHEMOGLOBIN ASSOCIATION AND DISSOCIATION CURVES OF WHOLE BLOOD OR OTHER LIQUIDS

摘要

A method of and apparatus for the automated measurement of the oxyhemoglobin association and dissociation curves of whole blood, erythrolysates or other liquids are described. The samples to be measured are studied in an environment of constant hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and temperature. They are initially deoxygenated by continuous flow washing and then are exposed to a linear gradient of increasing oxygen concentration to obtain the oxygenation curve. The samples are then oxygenated by continuous flow washing and next are exposed to a linear gradient of decreasing oxygen concentration to obtain the deoxygenation curve. The percentage of oxygen saturation and the oxygen tension of the sample are continuously determined substantially instantaneously by colorimetric analysis using indigo carmine reagent, to give the final oxygen association-dissociation curves.