Platelet aggregation test and device

Abstract

An assembly for testing platelet aggregation including an electrode subassembly that is mounted in a cuvette subassembly for use with relatively small samples containing platelets.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electrode subassembly comprising:
 a. an electrically non-conductive substrate with a top portion and a downwardly extending member;   b. a pair of electrode contact pads separated from each other and mounted on the top portion of the substrate, each contact pad having an electrically conductive lead extending downwardly on the downwardly extending member of the substrate, a conductive wire electrically connected to each lead, the conductive wire extending below and downwardly away from the downwardly extending member, wherein the portions of the two wires that extend downwardly away are substantially parallel and are spaced from one another;   
       wherein the electrode subassembly comprise a part of an assembly for measuring platelet aggregation in a sample size of about 250 μL to 300 μL. 
     
     
         2 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the portions of the two wires that are substantially parallel are spaced from one another about 0.18 to about 0.42 mm apart. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the portions of the two wires that are substantially parallel are from about 1.9 to about 4.5 mm long. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the electrically conductive lead comprises a coating of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the downwardly extending member has a narrower protruding portion where the upper end of the conductive wire is mounted. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lower ends of the two wires comprise an electrically non-conductive spacer element fixing the two wires in parallel to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly for measuring platelet aggregation comprises a cuvette subassembly. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode subassembly is adapted to fit into the cuvette subassembly; wherein the top portion of the electrode subassembly is at the top and the other end of the electrode subassembly is within the cuvette subassembly; wherein the electrode subassembly is relatively fixed; and wherein there is a space between the end of the electrode subassembly and an inner bottom portion of the cuvette subassembly. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the assembly for measuring platelet aggregation comprises a cuvette subassembly. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode subassembly of  claim 9 , wherein the electrode subassembly is adapted to fit into the cuvette subassembly; wherein the top portion of the electrode subassembly is at the top and the other end of the electrode subassembly is within the cuvette subassembly; wherein the electrode subassembly is relatively fixed; and wherein there is a space between the end of the electrode subassembly and an inner bottom portion of the cuvette subassembly.