Firm is using microfluidics technology to develop painless blood draw platform and facilitate diagnostic testing in the developing world.

Seventh Sense Biosystems received a $3.28 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to further develop its Touch Activated Phlebotomy (TAP) system for blood collection. The one-step TAP blood collection device harnesses a microfluidic extraction approach to painlessly draw and transfer blood to a collection reservoir, for subsequent sampling and analysis.

The three-year grant will be used to develop TAP prototypes that can collect higher volume blood sample, and in particular generate a simple device that could be used with a broad spectrum of point-of-care diagnostic devices in the developing world. The firm foresees the final products as a cost-effective, universal blood sample device that will require no external power or expertise to operate.

“Diagnostic testing is essential for most medical decision making and, in most cases, requires access to high-quality blood samples,” remarks Doug Levinson, Ph.D., co-founder, president and CEO at Seventh Sense. “Our TAP technology facilitates better care by painlessly, safely, and conveniently eliminating conventional barriers to blood collection, which could help facilitate diagnostic testing to virtually anyone, anywhere in the world.”

Additional TAP platforms in development include a disposable, fully integrated sample and test system designed to help avoid handling and contamination risks associated with typical sample transfers, and a device that can be directly interfaced with handheld or benchtop instruments.

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