Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for determining the coagulation time for a body of fluid, supported on a non-wettable surface, following the intermixing of a coagulation agent with said fluid, comprising the steps of drawing a filament through said fluid body at a predetermined rate, and detecting when said body clings to said filament and commences to move therewith along and upon said surface, the interval between intermixing of said fluid and agent and the commencement of movement of said body bearing a direct relation to the actual coagulation time of said fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for determining the coagulation time for a body of fluid, supported on a non-wettable surface, following the intermixing of a coagulation agent with said fluid, comprising the steps of drawing a filament through said fluid body at a predetermined rate, and detecting when said body clings to said filament and commences to move therewith along and upon said surface, the interval between intermixing of said fluid and agent and the commencement of movement of said body bearing a direct relation to the actual coagulation time of said fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which said filament is fibrous, at least some of the fibers thereof having end portions projecting outwardly from said filament.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is the further step of measuring the time interval between the intermixing of said fluid and agent and the commencement of movement of said body along said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 in which said surface is generally smooth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which said detecting step includes detecting the interruption of a beam of light by said body upon movement thereof by said filament.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for determining the coagulation time of a fluid following the addition of a coagulating agent thereto, comprising the steps of supporting a body of said fluid upon a non-wettable surface, introducing a coagulating agent into said body to initiate a coagulation reaction, simultaneously drawing a filament at a predetermined velocity through said body, and detecting when said body clings to said filament and commences to move therewith along and upon said surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for determining the coagulation time of a fluid following the addition of a coagulating agent thereto, comprising the steps of supporting a body of said fluid upon a non-wettable surface, introducing a coagulating agent into said body to initiate a coagulation reaction, simultaneously drawing a filament at a predetermined velocity through said body, and detecting when said body clings to said filament and commences to move therewith along and upon said surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said filament is fibrous, at least some of the fibers thereof having end portions projecting outwardly from said filament.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein there is the further step of measuring the time interval between the intermixing of said fluid and agent and the commencement of movement of said body along said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 in which said detecting step is performed photoelectrically.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 in which said photoelectric detection includes the interruption of a beam of light by said body as the same commences to move with said filament.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for determining the coagulation time of a fluid following the intermixing of that fluid with a coagulating agent, said apparatus having a non-wettable surface having a portion for supporting a liquid body consisting essentially of a mixture of said fluid and agent, said surface also providing a pathway leading from said supporting portion, a filament, means supporting said filament for movement along a line extending over said supporting portion and along said pathway, and means coacting with said first-mentioned means for longitudinally moving said filament at a predetermined rate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for determining the coagulation time of a fluid following the intermixing of that fluid with a coagulating agent, said apparatus having a non-wettable surface having a portion for supporting a liquid body consisting essentially of a mixture of said fluid and agent, said surface also providing a pathway leading from said supporting portion, a filament, means supporting said filament for movement along a line extending over said supporting portion and along said pathway, and means coacting with said first-mentioned means for longitudinally moving said filament at a predetermined rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which means are provided for detecting when said body clings to said filament and commences to move along and upon said pathway.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said filament is fibrous, at least some of the fibers thereof having end portions projecting outwardly from said filament.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said detecting means includes a light source for directing a beam towards said pathway, and a photocell for detecting the interruption of said beam by said body as the same commences movement along said pathway.