Optical Coherence Imaging Laboratory

Clot Elastic Modulus Portable System (CEMport)

The CEMport uses the concept of Resonant Acoustic Spectroscopy with Optical Vibrometry to measure the elastic modulus of blood clots. The elastic modulus can be related to resonance, which is a reproducible and easy signal to obtain from samples. CEMport excels at rapid, reproducible data collection and analysis -- see Fig. 1 for an overview of the system. A LabView program outputs information selected by the user to a waveform generator that recalls a chirped waveform. The chirped waveform is amplified by a power supply and sent to a solenoid. The solenoid produces a magnetic field targeted at a microwell. The microwell is held above the solenoid in the plastic mount and holds the blood clot sample with a microbead placed on top. The microbead is pulled by the magnetic field produced by the solenoid while the displacement laser tracks the Z-axis movement. The Z-axis movement is sent back to the computer for processing. Description of data analysis can be found below. The laser is attached to XYZ stage with motor that can be used to align the laser with the microbead. The XYZ stage, solenoid, laser, and plastic mount is all contained in a humidified box to keep the samples moist.

For an in-depth description of CEMport’s hardware, refer to Krebs et al 2015.

see caption

Figure 1. (A) Overview block diagram. (B) Close-up diagram of the microwell containing the fully clotted blood sample. (C) Photograph of CEMport. (D) Close-up photograph of CEMport mechanical analysis setup.

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