Micro-elastometry on whole blood clots using actuated surface-attached posts (ASAPs)

Lab Chip. 2015 Mar 7;15(5):1385-93. doi: 10.1039/c4lc01478b.

Abstract

We present a novel technology for microfluidic elastometry and demonstrate its ability to measure stiffness of blood clots as they form. A disposable micro-capillary strip draws small volumes (20 μL) of whole blood into a chamber containing a surface-mounted micropost array. The posts are magnetically actuated, thereby applying a shear stress to the blood clot. The posts' response to magnetic field changes as the blood clot forms; this response is measured by optical transmission. We show that a quasi-static model correctly predicts the torque applied to the microposts. We experimentally validate the ability of the system to measure clot stiffness by correlating our system with a commercial thromboelastograph. We conclude that actuated surface-attached post (ASAP) technology addresses a clinical need for point-of-care and small-volume elastic haemostatic assays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation*
  • Humans
  • Magnetics
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Rheology
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties