Description:
Researchers from UTHealth designed a device for developing a clot burst pressure (CBP) which can be used for direct measurement of the pressure required to dislodge a clot. More particularly, this measurement can distinguish between thrombi of hypo- and hypercoagulable states by observing differences in the CBP of conditioned groups compared to control CBP. This has the potential to be applied for a better understanding of trauma pathophysiology, thus can help direct acute care to reduce mortality rates and associated morbidities due to inappropriate resusitation.
Background
Trauma is the leading cause of death in the United States for individuals under 46. Hemorrhagic shock accounts for up to 40% of all trauma deaths and is responsible for a lethal triad of trauma.
Due to rapid turnover of clotting factors, newly formed clots are generated in a hypocoagulable and hyperfibrinolytic state. A better understanding of clot integrity can help optimize the use of resuscitation strategies, such as permissive hypotension without disrupting desired coagulation.
Discovery
Researchers at UTHealth have developed and tested a clot burst pressure (CBP) measurement device that allows clinicians to directly measure the pressure required to dislodge a clot, and developed a standardized assay used to test the impact that combinations and permutations of individual resuscitation products and clotting factors have on a patient in a clinically relevant parameter: i.e., mmHg.
Benefits/Technology Advantages
- This CBP device can allow for rapid testing of clot strength in a parameter, burst pressure, not seen in existing devices such as TEG;
- This CBP device can distinguish between thrombi of hypo- and hypercoagulable states by observing differences in the CBP of conditioned groups compared to control CBP.
Potential Applications
- This CBP device can be used as point of care to directly measure the pressure required to dislodge a clot and is simple to manufacture and perform, low-cost, and requires a much smaller volume of blood than other devices, such as TEG.
- This CBP device can be used to better understand trauma pathophysiology with the use of blood from trauma patients, which can help direct acute care to reduce mortality rates and associated morbidities.
Intellectual Property Status
- PCT/US2024/014387 filed
- Available for licensing
Stage of Development
Prototype has been developed and tested
Associated Publications
Design and Development of a Clot Burst Pressure Device to Investigate Resuscitation Strategies; J. Surg. Res., Volume 291, November 2023, Pages 646-652
About the Principal Investigators
Dr. Brijesh S. Gill, MD, FACS
Professor of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Dr. Charles S. Cox, Jr, MD, FACS
George & Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair in Neurosciences at UTHealth;
Director of Program in Children's Regenerative Medicine;
Co-Director of Texas Trauma Institute
UTHealth Ref. No: 2023-0017