Innovations and Technologies

At Micropoint, we believe that finding early and novel diagnostics for serious medical problems is the central responsibility of a healthcare company. The realization of this responsibility will alleviate the burden of healthcare costs by the early diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases, and by enhancing the health and well being of our patients.

Micropoint has become and continues to be, a leader in combating disease by funding and conducting research and development (R&D) into early and rapid diagnostics of life-threatening diseases. Diagnostic tests play a key role in improving the results of treatment. They help healthcare professionals choose the most appropriate therapies and monitor how patients respond to treatment. This in turn contributes to effective, good value healthcare tailored to each patient’s needs. One of our R&D focuses is vascular disease, such as peripheral or coronary artery disease, venous blood clots, and blood clotting disorders.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Like the blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries), your peripheral arteries also may develop atherosclerosis (the build-up of fat and cholesterol deposits, called "plaque") on the inside walls. Over time, the build-up narrows the artery. Eventually the narrowed artery causes less blood to flow, and a condition called ischemia can occur. Ischemia is inadequate blood flow to the body's tissue. A blockage in the coronary arteries can cause symptoms of chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. A blockage in the carotid arteries (the arteries supplying the brain) can lead to a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. The symptoms include uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, and abnormal kidney function.

Venous Blood Clots

Blood clots in the veins are usually caused by:

• Long bed-rest and/or immobility
• Damage to veins from injury or infection
• Damage to the valves in the vein, causing pooling near the valve flaps
• Pregnancy and hormones (such as estrogen or birth control pills)
• Genetic disorders
• Conditions causing slowed blood flow or thicker blood, such as inflammatory bowel disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), or certain tumors

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot occurring in a deep vein.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a blood clot that breaks loose from a vein and travels to the lungs.

Blood Clotting Disorders

Blood clotting disorders are disorders that make the blood more likely to form blood clots (hypercoagulable) in the arteries and veins. These conditions may be inherited (congenital, occurring at birth) or acquired during life and include:

• Elevated levels of factors in the blood which cause blood to clot (fibrinogen, factor 8, prothrombin)
• Deficiency of natural anticoagulant (blood-thinning) proteins (antithrombin, protein C, protein S)
• Elevated blood counts
• Abnormal Fibrinolysis (the breakdown of fibrin)
• Abnormal changes in the lining of the blood vessels (endothelium)