Newsroom, February 22, 2026: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed and patented a new optics-based technique to measure blood clotting time with high precision.
The method detects subtle changes in reflected light when blood contacts a reflective implant surface and begins to clot, turning the surface turbid. A sensitive photodetector captures the resulting voltage shift, pinpointing clotting time down to milliseconds.
Current approaches, such as mechanical tilting or free haemoglobin tests, lack this accuracy and struggle to differentiate materials with similar performance.
The innovation strengthens haemocompatibility screening critical for implants like stents, heart valves and catheters reducing thrombosis risks that affect patient safety worldwide.
