Share this
how to collect a specimen sample at home
by Neoteryx on Mar 11, 2019 3:12:00 AM
The rise of 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 to the clinic or 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 "microsample" for research, clinical trials, and more.
Volumetric absorptive microsampling, led to the development of Mitra® devices with VAMS® technology at Neoteryx. VAMS combines the best of dried blood spot cards and other similar older dried blood collection methods, but overcomes or solves for their limitations (the hematocrit bias, significantly, among many others).
Many researchers and clinical trial managers are embracing VAMS technology for its utility in remote microsampling studies. The rise of microsampling is explained by several factors:
- It's easy to use, even for untrained participants self-collecting samples at home
- It's economical: It saves money for lab directors and study managers
- It's convenient: Read on!
With this method, 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 mountainside treks, in low-resourced regions, or in a participant’s own living room.
The 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 tip steady over the 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 or four-pack Mitra Clamshell. It’s quick and simple.
- Seal: Once all tips are filled, enclose your samples in the included self-sealing pouch and envelope (including the packet of drying desiccant that is in the pouch).
- Ship: Drop the envelope in the nearest mailbox to send to the central lab for processing.
That’s it!
Why is this process so important? Microsampling, while absurdly simple, has numerous applications across the spectrum of science, drug research, health and wellness.
In Europe, an important area in which microsampling is having an impact is the realm of remote patient monitoring. Find out how Mitra microsampling technology provides an important missing link in the RPM ecosystem in England, France, and other European countries. Learn how Mitra devices and kits provide a secret weapon for those in pursuit of more patient-centric and value-based care.
Learn more about how to implement microsampling in your research lab or program.
Share this
- Venipuncture Alternative (109)
- Clinical Trials, Clinical Research (69)
- Mitra® Device (44)
- Research, Remote Research (37)
- Dried Blood Spot, DBS (32)
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, TDM (16)
- Decentralized Clinical Trial (DCT) (12)
- Blood Microsampling, Serology (10)
- Infectious Disease, Vaccines, COVID-19 (10)
- Microsampling (9)
- hemaPEN® Device (7)
- Toxicology, Doping, Drug/Alcohol Monitoring, PEth (6)
- Pharmaceuticals, Drug Development (5)
- Harpera® Tool (4)
- Omics, Multi-Omics (4)
- Skin Microsampling, Microbiopsy (4)
- Antibodies, MAbs (3)
- Biomonitoring, Health, Wellness (3)
- Preclinical Research, Animal Studies (2)
- April 2023 (2)
- March 2023 (2)
- February 2023 (2)
- January 2023 (3)
- December 2022 (2)
- November 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (4)
- September 2022 (3)
- August 2022 (5)
- July 2022 (2)
- June 2022 (2)
- May 2022 (4)
- April 2022 (3)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (4)
- January 2022 (5)
- December 2021 (3)
- November 2021 (5)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (4)
- July 2021 (4)
- June 2021 (4)
- May 2021 (4)
- April 2021 (3)
- March 2021 (5)
- February 2021 (4)
- January 2021 (4)
- December 2020 (3)
- November 2020 (5)
- October 2020 (4)
- September 2020 (3)
- August 2020 (3)
- July 2020 (6)
- June 2020 (4)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (6)
- February 2020 (3)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (5)
- November 2019 (6)
- October 2019 (4)
- September 2019 (5)
- August 2019 (5)
- July 2019 (4)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (6)
- April 2019 (5)
- March 2019 (6)
- February 2019 (6)
- January 2019 (8)
- December 2018 (3)
- November 2018 (4)
- October 2018 (7)
- September 2018 (8)
- August 2018 (5)
- July 2018 (8)
- June 2018 (6)
- May 2018 (5)
- April 2018 (6)
- March 2018 (5)
- February 2018 (7)
- January 2018 (4)
- December 2017 (2)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (2)
- September 2017 (4)
- August 2017 (2)
- July 2017 (4)
- June 2017 (5)
- May 2017 (6)
- April 2017 (6)
- March 2017 (5)
- February 2017 (4)
- January 2017 (1)
- July 2016 (3)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (2)
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think