# Wearable Microchip for Assessing Global Hemostatsis

> **NIH NIH K25** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $157,549

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Bleeding and thrombosis are common and lethal complications of many disease states. However, answering
the simple question “Is this patient in danger of abnormal bleeding or clotting?” in a timely manner remains
challenging with the existing clinical tests, which are time consuming and prone to error via the introduction of
pre-analytical variables. Importantly, no test assess vasoconstriction or the overall entire hemostatic response,
which is composed of concerted actions between platelets, cells, coagulation proteins, and the tissue/vessel
complex. In addition, the response is unique to each individual and difficult to predict. Hence, given delays and
limited information, it is unsurprising that physicians rely on expert opinion rather than the existing panel of
tests in complicated clinical situations. The research objective of this proposal is to apply the nascent fields of
flexible electronics and microfluidics to create a wearable, multi-parameter, point of care (POC), rapid, and
comprehensive assessment of hemostasis that helps physicians diagnose and manage hemostatic
complications. I hypothesize that a wearable microchip-based device that completely automates the bleeding
time assay and adds POC analogs of existing tests will create a quantitative, reliable, and comprehensive
measurement of hemostasis. I will apply advanced engineering tools to automatically collect and measure
blood from a standardized, small wound created on the volar forearm surface with a typical diabetic lancet.
Specific Aim 1 focuses on in vitro and in vivo clinical testing of an automated wound hemostasis assay that
measures the overall and complete hemostatic response, including vasoconstriction. Specific Aim 2 slightly
reconfigures the platform in aim 1, to enable quantitative measurements of 1) coagulation function which is
analogous to prothrombin time (PT), 2) activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT); and 3) platelet function
which is analogous to a platelet functional analyzer (PFA). Specific Aim 3 tests the acceptability of the new
technology in pediatric patients and examines the reliability (or degree of agreement) of the POC aPTT to the
lab based aPTT for patients being anticoagulated with heparin. The aims outlined here lay the groundwork for
a device that will transform clinical practice by providing critical information to diagnose and guide the
management of hemostatic complications that ultimately will reduce the significant morbidity and cost of altered
hemostasis. In addition, the career development activities complement the candidate’s micro-engineering
background with formal coursework and supervised training in translational research fundamentals,
coagulation, and conducting clinical research with novel biomedical devices. This training occurs in a highly
interdisciplinary and innovative environment created by institutions with strengths in micro-engineering
(Georgia Tech) and medicine (Emory University). Upon completion, t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9879767
- **Project number:** 5K25HL141636-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** David Richard Myers
- **Activity code:** K25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $157,549
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9879767

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9879767, Wearable Microchip for Assessing Global Hemostatsis (5K25HL141636-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9879767. Licensed CC0.

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