Invention:
This technology utilizes device thrombogenicity emulation--a method which mimics the shear stresses that would be exhibited within the patient in order to assess proper anti-thrombolytic therapies. Shear stresses are observed in a microfluidic facsimile of a ventricular assist device (VAD), which can quickly be translated to assess the personal risk of thrombosis. This allows for point of care testing on a patient-by-patient basis with optimal therapy dosages.
Background:
There are 670,000 new cases of heart failure every year with roughly 160,000 patients being eligible for a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). LVADs are becoming an increasingly more popular long term solution to heart failure. With the increased use of these devices it has become apparent that dosing for anti-thrombolytics needs to be reconsidered. Current dosing trials are primarily done on healthy patients with very different blood flow patterns than exhibited in patients with LVADs. Shear stresses exhibited in patients blood can vary greatly and therefore should be treated differently.
Advantages:
- Therapy dosage on a patient-by-patient basis
- Point-of-care capabilities
- Decreases risk of thrombosis
Applications:
- Patients with ventricular assist devices
- Patients at high risk of thrombosis
Status: issued U.S. patent #10,413,901
