Feasibility of PT, aPTT, and Fibrinogen on a Multifunctional Digital Microfluidic Cartridge

In severe trauma patients, rapid and accurate measurement of multiple coagulation parameters is critical for correcting coagulopathy and improving patient outcomes. However, existing technologies are unable to perform multiple coagulation assays simultaneously on a single consumable in a near-patient, rapid-testing format. This gap in diagnostic capability delays decision-making and impedes timely interventions in critical care settings.

In this study, presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Association for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) in Chicago, we explore a rapid (<15 minutes), point-of-care multifunctional digital microfluidic (DMF) platform designed to simultaneously measure key coagulation markers—prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen—using low-volume whole blood samples (<50 μL). We demonstrate that PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen results correlate strongly with comparator testing in plasma samples. We are currently adapting these assays for use on whole blood, making them ideal for point-of-care testing. This advanced DMF platform, with its quick turnaround time, has the potential to significantly enhance hemostatic resuscitation, allowing clinicians to make more informed decisions and improve the management of coagulation in severe trauma patients.