Method and device for monitoring platelet function

Abstract

The invention provides a method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal by passing blood removed from the body of the mammal through a passageway to contact an obstruction or irregularity in the passageway to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect the platelet mass. The flow and composition change in response to the formation of a platelet mass in the passageway. Devices, articles, and kits for performing the methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method of monitoring platelet function comprising:
 passing blood removed from a mammal through a passageway comprising an obstruction or an irregularity, to contact the obstruction or the wall of the passageway at the irregularity, to generate a platelet mass in the passageway; and   monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect formation of the platelet mass;   wherein the passageway does not comprise an added biological agent that activates platelets.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blood passes the obstruction or irregularity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blood does not comprise an added biological agent that activates platelets. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the passageway and blood do not comprise an added chemical agent that activates platelets. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein no biological or chemical agents are added to the removed blood. 
     
     
         6 . A method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal comprising:
 passing blood removed from a mammal through a passageway comprising an obstruction or an irregularity, to contact the obstruction or the wall of the passageway at the irregularity, to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and   monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect formation of the platelet mass;   wherein the platelet mass is substantially depleted in fibrin in comparison to a natural clot.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the blood passes the obstruction or irregularity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flow of the blood in the passageway is monitored. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the flow is monitored by monitoring the pressure of the blood in the passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the pressure is monitored with a pressure transducer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the flow is monitored optically. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the flow is monitored with a light-emitting diode and a light detector. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition of the blood in the passageway is monitored. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the size of the platelet mass is directly monitored. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the chemical composition of the blood is monitored. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pH, concentration of O 2 , concentration of CO 2 , concentration of Mg ++ , or concentration of K +  is monitored. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the passageway comprises an obstruction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the obstruction is a plug. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the plug partially obstructs the passageway. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the plug fully obstructs the passageway.