how to collect a blood sample at home with VAMS technology

The rise of VAMS^® microsampling technology has dramatically simplified the process of specimen collection, whether for collecting blood or another bio-fluid.

For blood collection, it is no longer necessary to undergo painful venipuncture, to involve phlebotomists and complex lab equipment, or to use dry ice and biohazard shipping to get the blood sample safely from the clinic to the lab for analysis.

Now, instead of getting poked in the arm with a big needle, there is minimally invasive finger-prick / finger-stick sampling to gather a tiny sample – a "microsample" – for research, clinical trials, patient monitoring, and more.

A blood sampling advance known as volumetric absorptive microsampling, led to the development of Mitra^® devices with VAMS^® technology at Neoteryx, the microsampling product brand of Trajan Scientific and Medical.

VAMS combines the best of DBS, or dried blood spot cards, and other dried blood collection methods, but VAMS overcomes or solves for their limitations (such as hematocrit bias, among many others).

Many researchers and clinical trial managers are embracing the Mitra device with VAMS technology for its utility in remote microsampling studies. The rise of microsampling is explained by several factors. It's convenient and easy to use, even for untrained participants self-collecting samples at home. It's economical, it saves money for lab directors and study managers. 

Almost anyone (with minimal training via video and illustrated instructions) can collect a small, precise sample of blood (or another biological fluid), anywhere, at any time. It can be done on mountain treks, in low-resourced regions, or in a person’s own living room.

The remote microsampling process is so smart and simple, nearly anyone can do it correctly with ease:

• The Finger-prick: A quick poke from a lancet to a fingertip can draw a drop or two of blood. That’s all that’s needed for collecting a high-quality specimen sample.
  
  
• The First Sample: Hold the white sponge tip of the device steady over the blood drop for the moment it takes to fully absorb the 10-20 microliters of blood (or other biological fluid).
  
  
• The Second Sample: Repeat this same process to fill as many device tips as needed, whether you’re using the Mitra^® Cartridge two-pack or four-pack. It’s quick and simple.
  
  
• Seal in Specimen Bag: Once all device tips are filled, enclose your samples in the included self-sealing specimen bag (including the packet of drying desiccant that is in the specimen bag). The sealed pouch fits inside the pre-addressed mailing envelope included in your kit.
  
  
• Ship: Drop the envelope in the nearest mailbox to send to the central lab for sample processing and analysis.

Why is this process so important? Microsampling, while absurdly simple, has numerous applications across science, drug research, health and wellness.

In Europe, important areas in which microsampling is having an impact is in remote therapeutic drug monitoring and remote patient monitoring.

Visit our Microsampling Library to read published articles from scientific and medical journals to learn how microsampling technology provides an important missing link in the patient monitoring ecosystem in England, France, and other European countries.

Learn how our microsampling devices and sample collection kits provide a secret weapon for those in pursuit of more patient-centric and value-based care.

Image Credits: Trajan, Neoteryx