CoaguSense™, Inc., a diagnostic device company that has been in stealth mode for the past two years, today unveiled the first portable point-of-care Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) analyzer to directly detect blood clotting time for patients stabilized on oral anti-coagulation medications such as Coumadin® or warfarin. The CoaguSense PT/INR monitoring system has now been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by patients in the home by prescription. The analyzer is also now Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived for use in physician offices. The product consists of a low-cost meter and disposable test strip. Medical professionals can order the system through Abbott Point of Care, which formed an exclusive agreement with CoaguSense to sell and market the CoaguSense PT/INR Monitoring System™.
"CoaguSense was formed to address an important need for patients requiring the oral anticoagulant warfarin on a long-term basis," said Doug Patterson, president and CEO of CoaguSense. "For many patients, their blood coagulation levels are checked too infrequently to reduce the risk of bleeding and thrombotic complications. That is why The Joint Commission has reduction in the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulation therapy as a top national patient safety goal. By offering suitable patients the ability to test weekly at home with the CoaguSense PT/INR Monitoring System, patients and their doctors can have greater confidence that therapy is being properly monitored."