Microvascular Analyzer (MVA)
The inability of stored RBCs to reach capillaries as effectively as their fresh
counterparts is one of the possible causes of increased morbidity and mortality
often associated with transfusion therapy.
The MVA is a simple-to-use, disposable device designed for point-of-care assessment
of stored red blood cells’ ability to perfuse microvascular systems.
Hemanext Microvascular Analyzer
The MVA tests RBCs ability to perfuse capillaries by measuring how well the RBCs
perfuse an artificial microvascular network made with disposable micro-fluidic device.
The device will be inexpensive and easy to operate, and will thus enable routine testing
of the microvascular fitness of stored RBCs in every unit of blood intended for transfusion.
A quantitative assessment of the quality of stored blood will help physicians to evaluate
the risks and benefits of transfusing every specific unit, and therefore could improve the
overall efficacy of transfusion therapy and reduce the potential complications associated
with the transfusion of bad blood.
In August 2010, the National Blood Foundation awarded a $75,000 grant to Tulane University
to conduct phase I research into the development of the MVA. The trial will compare the
ability of conventionally vs anaerobically stored red cells to perfuse the microvascular
network. Blood from the HASP in vivo trial will be used to correlate MVA results with 24-hour
post-transfusion recovery of the red cells stored under HASP and conventional condition.
