Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad have developed fluorescent sensors that can quickly measure the level of heparin in blood.

Heparin is an anticoagulant used in procedures such as cardiac surgery, dialysis and blood transfusions. Accurate dosing is important because too little heparin can lead to clotting, while too much can cause excessive bleeding.

The research team, led by Shanmugaraju Sankarasekaran and research scholar Noushija M.K., developed fluorescent chemosensors to detect heparin levels. The new method uses fluorescence instead of the clotting-time measurements used in existing monitoring methods.

Simple equipment

The sensor produces a bright yellow-green signal that becomes weaker when heparin is present. This allows the level of heparin in the blood to be measured using simple equipment.

The sensor molecules can be produced in a single step, which could reduce production costs and simplify the process. The researchers also found that the sensors can selectively detect heparin in complex samples such as human serum.

The technology could be developed into point-of-care diagnostic devices for monitoring patients receiving anticoagulant treatment. Further development and testing will be needed before it can be used in clinical settings.

“This technology combines simplicity with high precision, making it highly promising for real-world clinical use,” said Dr. Sankarasekaran.