Onset of force development as a marker of thrombin generation

An assay for identifying delayed or deficient thrombin production in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• positioning a blood sample of a patient an instrument which measures platelet contractile force;
• determining onset of platelet contractile force in said blood sample, the onset of platelet contractile force being indicative of a thrombin generation time for said patient;
• and
• comparing said thrombin generation time to a normal range for thrombin generation time, whereby delayed or deficient thrombin production is identified when said thrombin generation time is greater than said normal range for thrombin generation time.

An assay for identifying accelerated thrombin production in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• positioning a blood sample of a patient an instrument which measures platelet contractile force;
• determining onset of platelet contractile force in said blood sample, the onset of platelet contractile force being indicative of a thrombin generation time for said patient;
• and
• comparing said thrombin generation time to a normal range for thrombin generation time, whereby accelerated thrombin production is identified when said thrombin generation time is less than said normal range for thrombin generation time.

A method of treating blood disorders in a patient associated with thrombin generation, comprising the steps of:

• a) positioning a blood sample of a patient an instrument which measures platelet contractile force;
• b) determining onset of platelet contractile force in said blood sample, the onset of platelet contractile force being indicative of a thrombin generation time for said patient;
• c) comparing said thrombin generation time to a normal range for thrombin generation time, whereby accelerated thrombin production is identified when said thrombin generation time is less than said normal range for thrombin generation time, and whereby delayed or deficient thrombin production is identified when said thrombin generation time is greater than said normal range for thrombin generation time;
• and
• d) when a comparison generated in step c) indicates said thrombin generation time is outside said normal range for thrombin generation time, then performing the steps of
• i) administering a therapeutic agent to said patient for adjusting said thrombin generation time, and
• ii) repeating steps a), b), and c).