Detection of Heparin Level in Blood Using Electromagnetic Wave Spectroscopy

This work presents a novel application of electromagnetic wave sensor in healthcare domain. Clotting of blood, also known as coagulation is a serious concern giving rise to cardiovascular disorders. Venous thromboembolism, clot formation of blood within veins, blocks sufficient amount of blood from reaching different parts of the body, like arms and legs. Similar phenomenon occurring in arteries, arterial thrombosis, can cause heart attacks or brain strokes from preventing enough quantity of blood circulating through brain and heart. Heparin is an important drug used to avoid certain clotting of blood, during or after surgical operations where there are more chances of such formation due to cuts being made into body organs. In this work, a bespoke planar electromagnetic wave sensor, designed to resonate in a specific manner, was used to detect heparin level in blood samples. The hairpin resonator sensor was able to distinguish between varying concentrations of heparin in fixed volume of blood by means of electromagnetic wave spectroscopy. This real-time and non-invasive monitoring of blood, containing heparin, can aid towards administration of correct doses of heparin and to ensure that they are maintained in a controlled manner.