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CAPILLARY BLOOD EXTRACTION DEVICE
EP25383156 (application number; not published yet)
Recent research carried out by Clínica Universidad de Navarra (Julia Maroto-García, et al. “Analysis of common biomarkers in capillary blood in routine clinical laboratory. Preanalytical and analytical comparison with venous blood” Diagnosis 2023) has revealed that capillary blood tests can serve as an alternative to intravenous tests, what involves a great medical advance as collecting blood samples through a simple finger puncture can facilitate the monitoring of chronic patients. We offer an innovative capillary blood extraction device designed for true one handed operation, allowing users to obtain a blood sample without medical assistance. The device provides a simple, safe, and reliable method for collecting capillary blood at home, enabling patients to perform routine analyses without the need to travel to a healthcare facility. This technology is especially valuable for: • Home-based monitoring of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular risk markers, therapeutic drug monitoring). • Remote patient management, supporting telemedicine programs and reducing pressure on primary care. • Decentralized clinical trials, enabling participants to self-collect samples with minimal training. • Pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies developing point of care or at home testing kits. • Digital health platforms seeking to integrate seamless biological sampling into their services.
The proposed device introduces a next‑generation solution for capillary blood sampling, overcoming the main limitations and risks associated with current capillary blood collection technologies. 1. Eliminates the Need for Finger “Milking”. Enables blood collection without manual squeezing or external pressure, fully avoiding the traditional “milking” procedure. Prevents hemolysis of red blood cells, ensuring the integrity and reliability of analytical results. Avoids sample dilution caused by interstitial fluid contamination, significantly improving analytical accuracy. 2. High‑Quality, Representative Blood Samples. Ensures the collection of clean, uncontaminated capillary blood, minimizing the presence of tissue fluid and cellular debris. Improves pre‑analytical quality, reducing false high or false low laboratory results. Increases confidence in test outcomes, especially for chronic disease monitoring and longitudinal follow‑up. 3. Suitable for Home Use and Patient Self‑Sampling. Designed to be safely and effectively used by patients without medical assistance. Eliminates the need for visits to primary care centers or hospitals solely for blood collection. Empowers patients, increases comfort, and supports decentralized and patient‑centric healthcare models. 4. Reduced Burden on Healthcare Systems. Decreases workload for healthcare professionals and relieves overcrowding in hospitals and primary care facilities. Minimizes dependency on trained staff, lowering operational costs associated with routine blood sampling. Reduces the risk of human errors and handling‑related contamination. 5. Larger and More Reliable Blood Volumes. Enables the collection of larger capillary blood volumes compared to existing alternatives (e.g. upper‑arm devices). Improves compatibility with a wider range of laboratory and diagnostic assays. Addresses pre‑analytical limitations linked to insufficient sample volume. 6. Safer and Less Invasive Than Venous Sampling. Maintains the inherent benefits of capillary sampling: minimal invasiveness, lower pain, and reduced complication risks compared to venous blood draws. Particularly suitable for fragile populations, such as elderly patients, paediatric patients, and chronically ill individuals. 7. Ideal for Chronic Disease Monitoring and Remote Care. Facilitates frequent blood testing without increasing patient burden. Strongly aligned with telemedicine, home‑based diagnostics, and personalized healthcare strategies. Supports long‑term follow‑up with consistent, high‑quality samples.