What is critical shear stress (CSS) and why is it important?

CSS is the minimum shear stress needed to disaggregate RBC aggregation, and appears to be an excellent index to represent RBC aggregation.

First, CSS is hematocrit-independent so hematocrit correction is not required, whereas for the CSR, the AI increases and the threshold shear-rate decreases when the hematocrit increases.

Second, CSS holding dimensional unit such as the millipascal (mPa) is a more physical value to compare directly with those measured with other devices than any other aggregation indexes. Most conventional aggregation indexes such as the M-index use arbitrary unit; therefore, the results obtained cannot be compared across studies.

Furthermore, CSS also reflects cellular factors as well as plasmatic factors. Therefore, CSS appears to be a potentially useful index to represent RBC aggregation.

Who will benefit from the more accurate measurement of RBC deformability and CSS?

Ultimately, anyone at risk of developing circulatory disorders will benefit from better technology for measuring cell deformability and critical shear stress. Quick and easy measurements at the point of care will provide earlier detection of the circulatory diseases including diabetic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy , allowing patients to be treated on time and to have healthy life.

Does RheoScan receive any approval ?

RheoScan received approval from Korea Food & Drug Administration(KFDA) though GMP tests as a First class medical device in Dec., 2005. Furthermore, RheoScan have declared CE for high quality manufacturing and management.

RheoScan formed key partnerships with leading research and medical institutions such as Korea University Hospital-Artificial Organ Research Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital, and has scheduled a number of clinical studies through to further validate the relationship between the biophysical properties of cell deformability and circulatory disorders.