Characterization of blood hemostasis and oxygen transport parameters

Abstract

An integrated system for determining a hemostasis and oxygen transport parameter of a blood sample, such as blood, is disclosed. The system includes a measurement system, such as an ultrasonic sensor, configured to determine data characterizing the blood sample. For example, the data could be displacement of the blood sample in response to ultrasonic pulses. An integrated aspect of the system may be a common sensor, sample portion or data for fast and efficient determination of both parameters. The parameters can also be used to correct or improve measured parameters. For example, physiological adjustments may be applied to the hemostatic parameters using a HCT measurement. Also, physical adjustments may be applied, such as through calibration using a speed or attenuation of the sound pulse through or by the blood sample. These parameters may be displayed on a GUI to guide treatment.

1 . A system for measuring a parameter of a blood sample, the system comprising:
 an ultrasonic signal generator configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal to interact with the blood sample;   a receiver configured to determine at least one characteristic of the ultrasonic signal that interacted with the blood sample;   a processor configured to determine, using the characteristic, a hemostasis parameter and at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate a corrected hemostasis parameter using the at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A system of  claim 2 , wherein the hemostasis parameter is selected from a group consisting of TC1, TC2, angle, estimated stiffness S, baseline viscosity, and post-lyses viscosity. 
     
     
         4 . A system of  claim 2 , wherein the hemostasis parameter is an index for a clinical parameter selected from a group consisting of (1) coagulation factors (intrinsic and/or extrinsic), (2) platelet function, (3) fibrinogen and (4) fibrinolysis. 
     
     
         5 . A system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate the clinical parameter to guide transfusion. 
     
     
         6 . A system of  claim 5 , wherein the clinical parameter is configured to guide transfusion of at least one of a group consisting of (1) fresh frozen plasma, (2) platelet concentrates, (3) cryoprecipitate, (4) antifibrinolytics, and (5) packed RBCs. 
     
     
         7 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to report the HCT or related parameter. 
     
     
         8 . A system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to compare the HCT to an assumed HCT and communicate a difference therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . A system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured determine when the HCT is within a range affecting the parameter and communicate a warning about the parameter. 
     
     
         10 . A system for evaluating a blood sample, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to determine at least one hemostasis parameter from the blood sample and to determine at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof from the same blood sample.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to assess hemostasis in the blood sample or in a subject from which the sample was taken using the determined hemostasis parameter and the measured parameter selected from the group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising;
 an ultrasound generator configured to generate and direct ultrasonic energy into the blood sample; and   a receiver configured to receive reflected sound from the blood sample and to convert the received sound into electrical signals.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the electrical signals for processing to determine at least one hemostasis parameter from the blood sample and to determine at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof from the same blood sample. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the hemostasis parameter is measured by quantifying the displacement induced within the blood sample by application of at least one pulse of ultrasound of sufficient intensity to induce measurable displacement within the blood sample. 
     
     
         15 . A method for measuring a parameter of a blood sample, comprising:
 measuring at least one hemostasis parameter from the blood sample; and   measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof from the same blood sample.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the measured hemostasis parameter and the measured at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of HCT, HGB, MCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH and combinations thereof are used to assess hemostasis in the sample. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the assessment of hemostasis is used to evaluate hemostasis in a subject from which the blood sample was taken. 
     
     
         18 - 52 . (canceled)