Figure 1.
The TEG® analyzer measures the clot’s physical properties by the use of a special stationary cylindrical cup that holds a 360-μl sample of whole blood and is oscillated through an angle of 4º 45′. Each rotation cycle lasts ten seconds. A pin is suspended in the blood by a torsion wire and is monitored for motion. Thus, the magnitude of the output is directly related to the kinetics and the strength of the formed clot. As the clot retracts or lyses, these bonds are broken and the transfer of cup motion is diminished.