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Review
. 2015 Jul;136(1):13-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2015.05.012. Epub 2015 May 21.

Microfluidic technology as an emerging clinical tool to evaluate thrombosis and hemostasis

Brian R Branchford  1 , Christopher J Ng  1 , Keith B Neeves  2 , Jorge Di Paola  3
Affiliations
Review

Microfluidic technology as an emerging clinical tool to evaluate thrombosis and hemostasis

Brian R Branchford et al. Thromb Res. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Assessment of platelet function and coagulation under flow conditions can augment traditional static assays used to evaluate patients with suspected hemostatic or thrombotic disorders. Among the available flow-based assays, microfluidic devices require the smallest blood volume and provide multiple output options. These assays are based on the presence of wall shear stress that mimics in vivo interactions between blood components and vessel walls. Microfluidic devices can generate essential information regarding homeostatic regulation of platelet activation and subsequent engagement of the coagulation cascade leading to fibrin deposition and clot formation. Emerging data suggest that microfluidic assays may also reveal consistent patterns of hemostatic or thrombotic pathology, and could aid in assessing and monitoring patient-specific effects of coagulation-modifying therapies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Representative Image of a Microfluidic Device and Schematic Diagrams to Demonstrate the Assay. A) A representative image of a PDMS microfluidic device patterned with four channels, two filled with a red dye. B) A schematic example of a surface that demonstrates left to right collagen patterning with perpendicular flow. Other devices may use small circular patterns of substrates. C) Whole blood is perfused onto a chamber connected to a syringe pump generating desired shear rate. D) A cross sectional appearance of a channel, whereby platelet deposition can be detected with bright field microscopy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Formation of platelet aggregates under flow conditions from citrated whole blood. Re-calcified whole blood is perfused at a consistent flow rate across a collagen strip. Platelets bind to collagen through collagen receptors and through VWF mediated adhesion in the direction of blood flow. The degree of platelet adhesion/aggregation is related to the plasma concentration of VWF A) Representative image of platelet adhesion seen with a healthy control. B) Representative image of decreased platelet adhesion see in a patient with Type 1 Von Willebrand Disease
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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