Dielectric sensing to characterize hemostatic dysfunction

Inventors

Suster, Michael • Mohseni, Pedram • Sen Gupta, Anirban • Neal, Matthew David • Sekhon, Ujjal Didar Singh • Ahuja, Sanjay Pitamber • Pourang, Sina • Maji, Debnath

Assignees

Case Western Reserve University • University of Pittsburgh • US Department of Veterans Affairs

Abstract

As one example, an apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor comprising a microfluidic chamber that includes a capacitive sensing structure, the microfluidic chamber including a fluid input port to receive a volume of a blood sample. A bioactive agent is disposed within the chamber to interact with the volume of the blood sample received in the microfluidic chamber. A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the dielectric microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from an RF output of the dielectric microsensor. A computing device that computes dielectric permittivity values of the sample that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal, the computing device to provide an assessment of hemostatic dysfunction and associated coagulopathy based on the dielectric permittivity values.

Core Innovation

This disclosure relates to dielectric sensing to characterize hemostatic dysfunction of a sample, such as to assess trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). The apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor comprising a microfluidic chamber with a capacitive sensing structure. The chamber receives a blood sample and contains a bioactive agent that interacts with the blood sample. A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal, and a receiver obtains an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the blood sample over time based on the output RF signal and provides an assessment of hemostatic dysfunction based on these values.

The problem addressed is the urgent need for rapid, point-of-injury assessment of hemostatic dysfunction and associated coagulopathy, especially in trauma patients in pre-hospital and remote locations. Current coagulation profiling tests require separate instruments and time-consuming procedures often only available in hospital laboratories, which limits timely treatment during emergencies such as traumatic hemorrhage and trauma-induced coagulopathy. The invention seeks to provide a portable, rapid, and comprehensive solution for characterizing hemostatic dysfunction in small blood volumes using dielectric spectroscopy.

The dielectric microsensor employs a three-dimensional parallel-plate capacitive sensing structure with a floating electrode and sensing electrodes spaced around a microfluidic channel where the blood sample and bioactive agent interact. The bioactive agent may be disposed on electrodes or within the chamber to deterministically promote, accelerate, or inhibit coagulation, allowing characterization of platelet response, coagulation factors, or hyperfibrinolytic states. The microsensor detects changes in dielectric permittivity of the blood sample over time, which correlates with hemostatic properties. The computing device analyzes these values to identify hemostatic dysfunction mechanisms, diagnose disorders, and recommend appropriate therapies.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes 2 independent apparatus claims and 1 independent method claim that collectively cover the core inventive features of a dielectric microsensor system for assessing hemostatic dysfunction.

The claims collectively cover a dielectric microsensor system and method for assessing hemostatic dysfunction by measuring changes in dielectric permittivity of blood samples interacting with bioactive agents within microfluidic chambers, including multi-chamber comparative analysis, diagnostics, and therapy recommendations based on the computed permittivity values.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications