Scope and Objectives

To develop a microfluidics based LOC platform for continuous monitoring of gasotransmitters in SIRS.

To synthesize stable, sensitive and specific fluorescent probes for gasotransmitters.

To design an optofluidic platform to achieve a fast online concentration gradient of gasotransmitter.

To validate the platform in clinical set-up with known markers of endothelial dysfunction and multiple organ failure.

To compare existing empirical risk scores with the device for outcome predictions.

Deliverables

Continuous on-line monitoring system for early detection of SIRS.

Efficient device for fast, selective and accurate detection of gasotransmitters.

Correlation of relationship between gasotransmitters.

Optofluidic detection setup developed for fast detection.

Efficient LOC for plasma separation.

Predictive algorithms for prognosis of sepsis in SIRS.

Scientific Output

A. Microfluidics platform development
1. Developed a microfluidics platform for continuous monitoring of gasotransmitters.
(B) Probe synthesis
1.Synthesized a stable, sensitive and specific fluorescent probes for fluorescence based detection of H2S.
2. Probes for H2O2,NO and CO have been identified, synthesis in progress.

(C) Clinical trial
1. Platform was used at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai (our collaborator) for two months (March to April 2018) as part of a pilot study to detect the H2S level in ICU patients before, during and after surgery.

Results and outcome till date

A. Patent:
1. Opto-microfluidic device for real-time detection of gases in biosamples and liquids, PCT/IN2018/050194.

(B) Journal paper:
1.Rapid measurement of hydrogen sulphide in human blood plasma using an opto microfluidic device, R. Karunya, K. S. Jayaprakash, R. Gaikwad, P. Sajeesh, K.
2. Ramshad, K. M. Muraleedharan, M. Dixit, P. R. Thangaraj and A. K. Sen, submitted to Scientific Reports (2018).
3. S. Karthick, A. K. Sen, Improved understanding of acoustophoresis and development of an acoustouidic device for blood plasma separation, Phys. Rev. Applied, Accepted (2018).

Societal benefit and impact anticipated

Reports state that 1in 4 ICU patients suffers from sepsis, and 1 in 2 dies eventually15 which indicates that SIRS underlies global medical emergencies. To improve the chances of patient's survival, sepsis must be treated rapidly and efficiently. Every hour of delay in treatment reduces the average patient's survival by 8%. Developing a fast and continuous monitoring device for SIRS detection will bring a huge breakthrough in clinical world for sepsis diagnosis.
Platform was used at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai (our collaborator) for two months (March- April 2018) as part of a pilot study to detect the H2S level in ICU patients before, during and after surgery.

Next steps

Development of the opto- microfluidic platform for detection of H2O2 in blood- in progress.

Continue with the pilot study for measuring H2S levels in ICU patients.

To validate the H2S detection platform in clinical setup with known markers of endothelial dysfunction.

Publications and reports

Rapid measurement of hydrogen sulphide in human blood plasma using an opto microfluidic device, R. Karunya, K. S. Jayaprakash, R. Gaikwad, P. Sajeesh, K.

Ramshad, K. M. Muraleedharan, M. Dixit, P. R. Thangaraj and A. K. Sen, submitted to Scientific Reports (2018).

S. Karthick, A. K. Sen, Improved understanding of acoustophoresis and development of an acoustouidic device for blood plasma separation, Phys. Rev. Applied, Accepted (2018).

Patents

Opto-microfluidic device for real-time detection of gases in biosamples and liquids, PCT/IN2018/050194.

Scholars and Project Staff

2 PDF, 2 PhDs, 6 Project staffs.

Challenges faced

Clinical test requires significant effort and time.

Other information