A computerized system for sequential analysis of aggregation of erythrocytes under dynamic conditions

Aggregation of erythrocytes at hematocrit 5% in plasma, placed in a glass chamber, is analyzed under dynamic conditions by transmission of He-Ne laser light. The transmitted intensity (TI) signal which contains mean intensity superimposed with fluctuations caused by the movement of erythrocytes and formed aggregates, is detected by photodiode-amplifier assembly mounted on a stepper motor. The alignment of this detector for the maximum TI is achieved by a dedicated software. The TI data after A/D conversion is stored in Q PC-AT for further processing. The parameters, aggregate size index, aggregate sedimentation time index, total time taken for completion of the process, process onset time index, total number of fluctuations, and asymmetry index are calculated sequentially for the entire data. A comparison of these parameters in blood samples obtained from healthy and diabetic subjects show the significance of these parameters. © 1994 Academic Press, Inc.