New method to rapidly, reliably monitor sickle cell disease

Researchers have developed a rapid and reliable new method to continuously monitor sickle cell disease using a microfluidics-based electrical impedance sensor. This novel technology can characterize the dynamic cell sickling and unsickling processes in sickle blood without the use of microscopic imaging or biochemical markers. The technology is being developed with the hope of providing patients with a portable, standalone sensor to conveniently self-monitor the hematological parameters of their disease and evaluate their risk of vaso-occlusion.