Tulane device detects trauma blood clots rapidly | New Orleans CityBusiness

Tulane University biomedical engineers are testing a new device designed to rapidly detect life-threatening blood-clotting problems in trauma patients, potentially reducing diagnostic time from hours or days to under 20 minutes. The technology, which requires just a single drop of blood, could transform emergency care for patients experiencing severe injuries.

The device, developed by Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering in collaboration with medical device startup Levisonics Inc., is a battery-powered “acoustic tweezing” instrument that levitates and gently compresses a blood droplet using sound waves. This allows clinicians to measure how the blood’s physical properties change over time, offering real-time insights into coagulopathy, a condition that can cause excessive bleeding or dangerous clots.

“There is currently no reliable, rapid way to perform these tests in emergency settings,” said Damir Khismatullin, associate professor of biomedical engineering and co-founder of Levisonics. “Improper transfusions are a major cause of coagulation problems, and this device can provide the timely data clinicians need to act accurately.”

Levisonics received a $4.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense last year to test the technology under real-world conditions. Testing began in July at Tulane’s uptown New Orleans campus and is expected to last about 18 months. The program includes developing clinical protocols for trauma-induced coagulopathy and assessing the device’s performance in both lab simulations and patient samples.

The portable unit, roughly the size of a small microwave, is designed for use in combat zones, field hospitals, and emergency rooms, operating without connection to the electrical grid. Researchers at Tulane are also collaborating with Indiana University School of Medicine to validate the device using blood samples from actual trauma patients.

Although clinical trials have not yet begun, related acoustic technologies from Khismatullin’s lab have been used to monitor blood coagulation in liver transplant patients and children on life support. Additional projects include testing the device for pediatric hemophilia patients in partnership with the Louisiana Center for Bleeding & Clotting Disorders.

Nithya Kasireddy, president and CEO of Levisonics, emphasized the broader impact of the technology. “Together, we are poised to make meaningful advancements in point-of-care diagnosis and hemostasis management for trauma patients,” she said.

Before widespread hospital use, the device must gain FDA clearance. Meanwhile, it is available for research use by universities, labs, and pharmaceutical companies. Tulane researchers and Levisonics hope the device will ultimately become a standard tool in trauma care, offering clinicians faster, more precise insights to guide life-saving interventions.