Automated platelet function analyzer and its analytical methods

Abstract

An automated platelet function analyzer includes a sampling vessel, a preparation vessel, an analysis vessel, a sampling needle, a blood sample syringe, a platelet agonist syringe, an analysis solution syringe and a blood mixing device. A method for platelet analysis is also disclosed.

1 . An automated platelet function analyzer comprising:
 a sampling vessel, a preparation vessel, an analysis vessel, a sampling needle, a blood sample syringe, a platelet agonist syringe, an analysis solution syringe and a blood mixing device;   the sampling vessel is used to store blood samples;   the preparation vessel is used for a first blood sample dilution;   the analysis vessel is used for a second blood sample dilution and a platelet number measure;   the blood mixing device is used for mixing the blood samples in the sampling vessel, the preparation vessel and the analysis vessel;   the platelet agonist syringe is connected with a platelet agonist storage container so as to dispense platelet agonist into the sampling vessel;   the analysis solution syringe is connected with an analysis solution storage container so as to dispense the analysis solution into the preparation vessel or the analysis vessel;   the sampling needle, the blood sample syringe, the platelet agonist syringe and the analysis solution syringe are driven by motors separately;   the sampling needle is connected to the blood sample syringe and the analysis solution syringe through pipes and valves respectively;   as the blood sample syringe is connected to the sampling needle, in sequence transferring the blood samples to the sampling vessel, absorbing the partial blood sample from the sampling vessel and transferring the partial blood sample to the preparation vessel; absorbing the diluted blood sample from the preparation vessel and transferring the diluted blood sample to the analysis vessel; and   after the analysis solution syringe is connected to the sampling needle, the sampling needle will be cleaned.   
     
     
         2 . The automated platelet function analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the blood mixing device is an air pump, which is separately connected to the sampling vessel, the preparation vessel and the analysis vessel through pipes and valves;
 the pipe, which is connected to the sampling vessel, has an internal diameter of about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, and the inlet air flow rate is about 1 to about 20 ml/min.   
     
     
         3 . The automated platelet function analyzer according to  claim 2 , wherein the air pump is a rotary pump or a mixing syringe. 
     
     
         4 . The automated platelet function analyzer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cleaner which is used to clean the outer surface of the sampling needle. 
     
     
         5 . The automated platelet function analyzer according to  claim 4 , further comprising a waste liquid pump connected to the sampling vessel, the preparation vessel, the analysis vessel and the cleaner. 
     
     
         6 . An analysis method of an automated platelet function analyzer comprising:
 (a) connecting a sampling needle with a blood sample syringe;   (b) absorbing a blood sample;   (c) transferring the blood sample to a sampling vessel;   (d) mixing the blood sample;   (e) by using the blood sample syringe and the sampling needle quantitatively absorbing the blood sample from the sampling vessel, and transferring the blood sample to a preparation vessel;   (f) using an analysis syringe to dispense analysis solution into the preparation vessel to make a first dilution and mixture of the blood sample;   (g) connecting the sampling needle to the blood sample syringe, quantitatively absorbing the blood sample from the preparation vessel and transferring the blood sample to an analysis vessel;   (h) quantitatively making a second dilution by transferring an analysis solution to the analysis vessel through an analysis solution syringe and mixing the blood sample;   (i) counting the original platelet numbers of the blood sample in the analysis vessel;   (j) dispensing platelet agonist into the sampling vessel by a platelet agonist syringe and mixing the blood sample;   (k) repeating step (a) to step (h) with a certain interval, and counting the platelet numbers in the blood sample at each time point after dispensing the platelet agonist; and   (l) comparing the numbers of platelet after dispensing platelet agonist at each time point with that of the original platelet to calculate the platelet aggregation rate.   
     
     
         7 . The analytical method for platelet according to  claim 6 , wherein mixing the blood sample by an air-blowing method.