Thromboelastometry
ROTEM® stands for rotation thromboelastometry and is an enhancement of classical thromboelastography, a powerful technique for the assessment of blood coagulation disorders.
Principle
- Blood is added into disposable cuvette in heated cuvette holder
- Disposable pin (sensor) is fixed on tip of rotating axis
- Axis is guided by high precision ball bearing system
- Axis rotates back and forth
- Axis is connected with spring for measurement of elasticity.
- Exact position of the axis is detected by reflection of light on small mirror on axis.
- Obtained data are then analysed on computer
The loss of the elasticity when the sample clots leads to a change in the rotation of the axis. These obtained data are then visualized in a thromboelastogram.