TOKYO, 16th May, 2025 (WAM) -- Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an innovative, non-invasive method to monitor blood clotting in real time, using a combination of high-speed imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).
The study introduces a new system that uses a frequency-division multiplexed microscope to capture thousands of images of blood cells per second. AI then analyses the images to detect platelet activity—crucial for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Traditionally, assessing clotting risk required invasive procedures. However, the study showed that simple blood samples drawn from the arm provided comparable data, making the process safer and more convenient.
The technology, tested on over 200 patients, could help doctors tailor antiplatelet treatments to individual needs, improving outcomes and reducing complications.
“Platelets play a crucial role in heart disease, especially in CAD, because they are directly involved in forming blood clots. To prevent dangerous clots, patients with CAD are often treated with antiplatelet drugs. However, it's still challenging to accurately evaluate how well these drugs are working in each individual, which makes monitoring platelet activity an important goal for both doctors and researchers," said Dr. Kazutoshi Hirose, assistant professor, University of Tokyo Hospital and lead author of the study.