PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY

BIOTHERM, INC. PROPOSES TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A PORTABLE SYSTEM, ANALOGOUS TO A HAND-HELD GLUCOSE METER, TO PERMIT RAPID, CONVENIENT BLOOD COAGULATION TESTING ON FRESHLY DRAWNSAMPLES FROM PATIENTS UNDERGOING ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY. THIS COST-EFFECTIVE SYSTEM WOULD BETTER HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS AND PROVIDE FOR EARLIER RELEASE FROM HOSPITALS. THE USE OF SUCH A SYSTEM IN THE PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE, IN A FREE-STANDING AMBULATORY CARE FACILITY, AND IN THE HOME OFFERS THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE RAPID TEST TURNAROUND TIME AND CONSEQUENTLY BETTER CONTROL OF THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH THROMBOEMBOLIC PROBLEMS. DURING PHASE I, A PROTOTYPE REAGENT SYSTEM TOGETHER WITH AN ELECTRONIC MEASUREMENT DEVICE WILL BE FABRICATED, TESTED, AND ANALYZED FOR FEASIBILITY. THE SYSTEM WILL BE BASED ON A SENSITIVE COAGULATION MONITORING TECHNIQUE.