Sector: Medical Device Development
Technology: Optics, Fluorescence Detection, AI Image Analysis
Partners: FOCE Technology International, Coagulation Profile, Maastricht University
The Challenge
An estimated 200,000–500,000 people in the Netherlands live with long-term post-COVID symptoms, yet no objective diagnostic test exists. Diagnosis today relies on ruling out other conditions rather than confirming post-COVID directly. Recent research points to microclots — abnormal, microscopic blood clots — as a promising biomarker, but the only method to detect them is slow, manual, and available in just a handful of labs worldwide, none in the Netherlands.
The Solution: A Consortium Effort
2M Engineering leads a consortium of specialists who each bring essential expertise to the Micro Clot Counter (MCC) — the first instrument in the world capable of detecting and quantifying microclots directly from a blood sample:
- 2M Engineering (Valkenswaard) leads the project and develops the device’s optics, mechanics, electronics, and industrialization, drawing on its experience building point-of-care blood analysis devices (PC100, PC200).
- FOCE Technology International (Maria Hoop) develops the underlying detection and analysis method, applying its deep expertise in photonics and signal processing to build the AI-driven algorithms that recognize and quantify microclots.
- Coagulation Profile (Maastricht) develops the fluorescently labeled antibodies and reagents that make microclots visible, applying its specialized knowledge of hemostasis and coagulation biomarkers.
- Maastricht University / CARIM contributes clinical and scientific leadership, providing access to patient data and biobank samples from the Dutch Post-COVID Network, and leads technical and clinical validation of the device.
Together, hardware, software, reagents, and clinical science are integrated into one system — a fast, reproducible research instrument that removes the need for specialized labs or manual microscopy.
Why It Matters
The MCC gives researchers a scalable way to study the link between microclots and post-viral illness — including post-COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, and glandular fever — and to track how patients respond to treatment over time. For patients, it offers something long missing: objective recognition of their symptoms and a path toward personalized care.
Impact
- First-of-its-kind device, developed to research-grade (TRL8) readiness
- Piloted at 7 post-COVID expertise centers across the Netherlands
- Projected to reach ~300 units and €28M+ in combined partner revenue within 5 years of market launch
- Strengthens the Life Sciences & Health innovation ecosystem in the Netherlands
This project reflects how 2M Engineering works: bringing together the right partners — hardware, software, biomarker, and clinical expertise — to turn complex medical challenges into working, market-ready devices.
2M Engineering designs and industrializes advanced medical and industrial sensor technology, partnering with companies and research institutions to bring first-of-a-kind diagnostic devices to market.
Contact us to discuss your medical device development project.
