iCoagLab

Project Description

The iCoagLab Platform is based on patented technology developed by scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital. iCoagLab uses an optical sensor that detects intensity fluctuations of laser scattering patterns to measure blood clot stiffness over time. Acute bleeding or hemorrhage is a major cause of preventable death in hospitalized patients. Conventional laboratory tests can be costly, cumbersome and take too long. Delays in detecting and managing impaired coagulation are associated with poor outcomes. Coalesenz seeks to solve this problem by providing rapid viscoelastic coagulation profiling at the point of care. Currently, a device is in development with a greatly reduced form factor and instrument cost, with a disposable cartridge that uses a very small blood volume and provides rapid results in about 10 minutes.

To help translate this research device into a commercial product, Coalesenz and the Nadkarni lab are working to develop reagent formulations that accurately and precisely trigger specific pathways in the coagulation cascade, while limiting optical interference and mixing defects. Together with research scientists at the Nadkarni lab and engineers at Coalesenz, the REU student will help to characterize reagent formulations through image processing and analytical testing and provide valuable design inputs to the clinician workflow of the microfluidic cartridge.

Mentor

Shane Ward