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Detection of Long COVID Microclots using Pulsed Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscopy

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Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
Laser Detects Fake Blood Clots, Struggles With The Real Thing

This study investigated a new method for detecting microclots, which are thought to be linked to long COVID, using lasers. While the method was able to distinguish different clot concentrations in simpler test fluids, it faced challenges in whole blood due to interference from blood cells. Further research is needed to overcome these limitations and confirm findings with patient samples.

Explain Like I'm Five

This study tested a new laser-based method for detecting tiny blood clots in long COVID patients. It worked well in some test fluids but not in real blood samples because blood cells scatter light, making detection difficult.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

Authors RR, BH, and SK are employed by Openwater.

Identified Limitations

Limited applicability to whole blood
The method couldn't reliably detect microclots in whole blood samples due to the strong scattering of light by blood cells. This limits its direct application to patient blood testing.
Lack of validation with patient samples
While the study explored different concentrations, validating the findings with actual patient samples diagnosed with Long COVID is crucial for real-world applicability.
Simplified flow model
The study uses a flow phantom which simulates blood flow but lacks the complexity of a real biological system. This limits the translatability of findings.

Rating Explanation

This is a proof-of-concept study with a limited scope, demonstrating potential but also significant limitations. The inability to reliably measure in whole blood is a major drawback that lowers the rating. However, it explores a novel approach to a clinically relevant problem and provides insights for future research.

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Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Health Sciences
Field: Medicine
Subfield: Hematology

File Information

Original Title: Detection of Long COVID Microclots using Pulsed Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscopy
Uploaded: August 09, 2025 at 08:45 PM
Privacy: Public