Microfluidic Stress Emulation for Thrombogenic Risk Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring thrombogenic risk in patients with mechanical circulatory support devices, such as ventricular assist devices, are limited by their inability to accurately assess anti-thrombotic drug efficacy under dynamic flow and shear conditions, leading to ineffective prevention of device-associated thrombosis and associated complications like stroke and death.
Innovation Solution
Development of microfluidic devices that replicate the shear stress profiles of mechanical circulatory support devices, allowing for patient-specific and device-specific monitoring of thrombogenic potential by modeling and emulating the shear stress profiles of these devices in a lab-on-chip system, enabling point-of-care assessment of platelet activation and anti-thrombotic drug efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If central lab-based testing systems are used to examine anti-platelet agent efficacy, then drug efficacy can be assessed, but the testing conditions do not represent the actual flow and shear conditions in patients during VAD use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying flow rate, shear stress magnitude, and exposure duration in the microfluidic device to match in vivo conditions. The device enables dynamic adjustment of shear stress parameters (e.g., 100-500 dynes/cm²) and flow conditions to replicate the physiological environment patients experience during VAD operation, thereby improving the accuracy and applicability of drug efficacy assessments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex in vivo environment using a microfluidic chip that replicates key hemodynamic parameters. The device copies the essential flow patterns, shear stress profiles, and platelet exposure conditions of actual VAD operation on a miniaturized platform, enabling accurate testing without requiring actual in vivo conditions or large laboratory apparatus
2Measurement precision
If large laboratory-based apparatuses are used for measuring anti-thrombotic therapy efficacy, then measurements can be obtained, but the systems are not amenable to rapid bedside use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from large laboratory apparatus and concentrates it into a miniaturized microfluidic device. The core capability to measure platelet activation state is isolated and implemented in a portable chip format that can be operated at the bedside, eliminating the need for large equipment while preserving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical laboratory apparatus with a microfluidic system that uses integrated micro-pumps and micro-channels. This substitution enables the system to be compact, portable, and suitable for bedside operation while maintaining the ability to generate controlled shear stress and flow conditions for accurate platelet activation measurement
3Ease of manufacture
If existing testing systems operate under static conditions or minimal blood agitation, then testing can be performed, but they do not examine anti-thrombotic drug efficacy under actual blood flow and shear conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow conditions in the microfluidic device, where blood flow rate, shear stress, and exposure duration can be continuously adjusted during the assay. The system transitions from static or minimal agitation to dynamic, controllable flow patterns that replicate actual VAD operation, thereby improving the reliability and clinical relevance of the results while maintaining procedural simplicity through automated control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microfluidic system effectively monitors thrombogenic risk and assesses anti-thrombotic drug efficacy under conditions mimicking actual device use, reducing the likelihood of thrombosis and enhancing patient safety by providing personalized and device-specific thrombogenic risk assessment.
Implementation Method 1
modeling the shear stress profile of platelets flowing through a pathology
Implementation Method 2
flowing a sample from the subject through the microfluidic device
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is technology relating to microfluidic devices and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices, methods, systems, and kits for imparting stresses on a fluid flowing through a microfluidic device that is designed to mimic a stress profile of a macrofluidic device or pathology.