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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
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A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time
Published on: February 14, 2017
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Smart Clot: An Automated Point-of-Care Flow Assay for Quantitative Whole-Blood Platelet, Fibrin, and Thrombus
Alessandro Foladore1, Simone Lattanzio1, Ekaterina Baryshnikova2
1Sedicidodici s.r.l., 33170 Pordenone, Italy.
Biosensors
|February 26, 2026
Summary
Smart Clot is a new point-of-care (POC) device that accurately measures platelet and fibrin clot formation under realistic blood flow conditions. This validated platform offers rapid, reproducible hemostasis assessment for improved patient care.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
- Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Background:
- Hemostasis involves complex interactions of platelets, coagulation factors, and endothelium under shear forces.
- Existing point-of-care (POC) assays often assess isolated hemostasis components or static conditions, failing to replicate physiological thrombus formation.
- There is a need for advanced POC devices capable of evaluating hemostasis under dynamic, physiologically relevant shear conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To technically validate Smart Clot, a novel, automated microfluidic POC platform.
- To assess the platform's ability to quantify platelet aggregation, fibrin formation, and total thrombus growth under controlled arterial shear.
- To evaluate Smart Clot's sensitivity in detecting pharmacological modulation and peri-operative impairment of hemostasis.
Main Methods:
- Smart Clot platform utilizes whole blood perfused over collagen at a shear rate of 300 s-1.
- Dual-channel epifluorescence microscopy captures platelet and fibrin(ogen) signals, analyzed using a five-parameter logistic model.
- Standardized pseudo-volumes for platelets, fibrin(ogen), and total thrombus were derived; reference distributions established from healthy donors and patients on antithrombotic therapy.
Main Results:
- Smart Clot demonstrated high analytical repeatability across various activity ranges.
- The platform accurately captured graded inhibition of thrombus components by anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.
- Significant, transient suppression of platelet and fibrin activity was observed in cardiopulmonary bypass samples.
Conclusions:
- Smart Clot provides rapid, reproducible, and flow-aware quantification of platelet-fibrin dynamics.
- The platform exhibits high sensitivity for detecting pharmacological modulation and peri-operative hemostasis impairment.
- Smart Clot shows potential as a next-generation POC assay for comprehensive physiological hemostasis assessment.
