Table 2.
Current technologies for outpatient sample collection
| Technology | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBS on paper | Fingerstick‐based approach to collect blood on a paper substrate. A variety of paper types are available. | Simple and inexpensive approach, well established workflows for many analytes especially for newborn screening applications | Not a volumetric collection that can impact quantitative measurements, Repeated sampling via finger sticks can be painful, requires manual capture of meta data such as time of sampling |
| Volumetric absorptive microsampling (Neoteryx Mitra) | Fingerstick‐based approach to collect samples on a polymer matrix of defined wicking volume | Simple approach with the benefit of collecting a well‐defined volume, Automation friendly format provided by the vendor | Fingerstick is required, no automated capture of meta data, cost vs. DBS paper‐based approach |
| Volumetric absorptive microsampling (Capitainer) | Fingerstick‐based approach to collect samples using a channel of defined volume | Simple approach with the benefit of collecting a well‐defined volume | Fingerstick is required |
| HemaXis | Fingerstick‐based approach to collect samples using a microfluidic channel of defined volume | Simple approach with the benefit of collecting a well‐defined volume | Fingerstick is required |
| Trajan HemaPen | Fingerstick‐based approach to collect four simultaneous samples using capillaries of defined volume | Volumetric collection, designed to be patient friendly, integrated desiccant to preserve sample | Fingerstick is required, lack of automation for device handling to remove sample |
| SeventhSense TAP | Microneedle‐based blood collection device that is used on the arm and collects liquid blood | Pain free approach that is simple to use | Blood is collected inside the device and requires transfer to secondary container/matrix, cost relative to other approaches |
| Tasso OnDemand | Lancet‐based device that collects blood onto a cartridge | Pain free approach that is simple to use, cartridge collects dried blood | Automation of cartridge handling not available, cost relative to paper‐based methods |
DBS, dried blood spot.