Apparatus and method for separating and analyzing blood

Abstract

An apparatus, comprising at least separating means (1) for separating blood plasma and red blood cells, which separating means (1) comprise pressure means (20) for pressing at least a part of the blood through a filter (26), wherein at least first collecting means (27) are provided for collecting separated blood plasma and at least one reagent is provided in said first collecting means (27) or canbe introduced therein for reaction with substances or organisms present in said blood plasma.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for separating and analyzing blood. Background technique [0002] By means of the blood analysis, deviations from the normal blood picture can be determined, from which deviations, for example, pathological defects or causative factors can be determined and at least indicated that further examinations are advisable or necessary. Of course, healthy blood images can also be determined. [0003] In US 2003 / 0175167 A1 a device is described by which a volume of blood can be contained in a chamber, the blood is diluted and then pressed at least partially through a filter. The filter is selected such that at least plasma in the blood passes through the filter and collects in a collection space, while at least red blood cells in the blood cannot pass through the filter and remain in the chamber. Then, a seal is provided in the channel between this chamber and the collection space, so that the blood plasma cannot flow back. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] These known devices and methods of operation with them have the disadvantage that they still take a considerable amount of time before the results of the test are known to the patient whose blood has been drawn

This is because, although very little blood needs to be drawn and centrifugation is no longer required, the analysis must be performed in a laboratory, thus requiring considerable time for shipping and processing

In addition, the patient may feel that there is a disadvantage that others know the result even before the patient himself knows the result

However, this detection still takes minutes or longer, which is undesirable in many cases

In addition, these assays have the disadvantage of being very susceptible to contamination from the outside, since the device is open, and at the same time, the degree of separation and thus the amount of plasma obtained cannot be determined with sufficient accuracy

Especially when multi-layer filters are used with different reagents, this disadvantage is further increased because it is not clear how much plasma is left on which layer of the filter

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