Japanese scientists have developed a blood test device, with which the exact dosage of antithrombotic agent can be decided in 80 minutes in treatment of blood clots, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported Monday.

The tool, which was developed by researchers from Tokyo University, Shimuzu Corp. and Toppan Printing Co., can also decide from a drop of blood the needed dosages in fighting rheumatism and cancer.

Warfarin, a widely-used antithrombotic drug, could cause chronic nosebleeds and cerebral hemorrhage if inappropriate dosage of the medicine is taken for a long time.

To solve this problem, the researchers studied two genes that are related to blood coagulation and metabolism and found they are directly linked to the amount of drugs that patients can safely be administered, according to the paper.

The tool can also be used in the treatment of rheumatism, mental illnesses, leukemia and lung cancer, said the researchers.

A number of Japanese hospitals have planned to introduce the device next month, said Yomiuri.

Source: Xinhua