MICROFLUIDIC CHIP-BASED UNIVERSAL COAGULATION TEST

Abstract

A microfluidic, chip-based assay device has been developed for measuring the physical properties of an analyte (specifically, whole blood or whole blood derivatives). The technologies can be applied to measure the clotting times of whole blood or blood derivatives, determine the effects of anticoagulant drugs on the kinetics of clotting / coagulation, and evaluate the effect of anticoagulant reversal agents. These technologies can additionally be used to optimize the dosage of anticoagulant drugs and / or their reversal agents.The assay is anticoagulant-independent - clotting is initiated by exposing the blood sample within the device to a glass surface (or other negatively charged material such as oxidized silica), which activates the intrinsic pathway and can be further accelerated by applying shear flow across the surface of the activating materials. The absence of chemical activating agents and a highly controlled and reproducible microenvironment yield a universal point-of-care clotting assay.