Devices and methods for measuring blood coagulation

摘要

In one embodiment, a device for measuring blood coagulation includes a substrate having a surface, an optical waveguide provided on the surface of the substrate, the waveguide having a tip, and means for spatially separating objects from the tip of the waveguide.

主权项

1. A method for measuring blood coagulation, the method comprising:
placing a droplet of whole blood on a surface of a substrate of an on-chip photonic circuit including an optical waveguide so as to immerse a tip of the optical waveguide; spatially separating red blood cells within the whole blood from a the tip of the waveguide using spacer elements that are provided on the substrate surface so that only plasma of the whole blood contacts the waveguide tip; delivering light along the waveguide to the waveguide tip; sensing light that is reflected back from the tip of the waveguide; and determining a level of blood coagulation from the sensed light.