Imagine a world where routine blood tests no longer require a trip to the clinic. No waiting rooms, no needles, no appointments. Just you, at home, taking control of your health. Today, we’re exploring the rise of at-home blood draw devices and testing leading innovations.
Since COVID, there has been a steady rise in at-home lab tests, as hundreds of millions of people worldwide have learnt how to use them. Moreover, there has been an industrial urge to solve collecting blood samples at home, especially for clinical trials. How amazing it would be for patients, for example, going through chemotherapy, that they could measure important biomarkers without the need to go to clinical labs, meeting people who might be sick, and posing a danger to their health?
Also, traditional blood draws can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. For many, especially those in remote areas or with mobility challenges, accessing phlebotomy services is a hurdle. At-home blood collection devices aim to simplify the process, making it more accessible and less invasive.
Some companies have been trying to tackle that, of which we have covered Tasso before. But they came up with a new device and two other companies sent theirs too. As always, we accepted the free devices without any sponsorship or payment.
We even tried to check them out and compare them, if possible at all.
First up, let’s look at Tasso.
Tasso’s device adheres to your upper arm. Once activated, it uses a gentle vacuum to collect a blood sample without the need for needles. The process is designed to be virtually painless and straightforward. I demonstrated it to you already in one of our previous videos. Here is the process:
- Clean the application area on your upper arm.
- Peel off the adhesive backing and attach the device.
- Press the activation button.
- Wait for the collection to complete, indicated by the fill line.
- Remove the device and send the sample to the lab.
Next, here is RedDrop.
RedDrop’s device also targets the upper arm. It incorporates a heat pack to increase blood flow, ensuring an efficient collection process. The process is somewhat similar:
- Activate and apply the heat pack to your upper arm for one minute.
- Clean the area with the provided alcohol wipe.
- Attach the RedDrop device to the warmed area.
- Slide the actuator to begin collection.
- Once the sample is collected (the indicator turns green), remove the device and prepare it for mailing.
And YourBio
YourBio’s TAP® device differs from Tasso and RedDrop mainly in how it collects blood: it uses a bladeless microneedle array (HALO
) for virtually painless sampling and can draw larger volumes (up to ~900 µL) with a very high success rate and strong regulatory validation, making it well-suited for clinical-grade applications. The process is very similar to the ones above.
Conclusions
We can witness the first versions of this technology, but the promise is there, and some companies have already started to deliver results. Virtually painless blood collection is here with easy-to-follow instructions and compatibility with various lab tests. The choice between them may come down to personal preference and specific testing requirements.
At-home blood collection is more than a convenience; it’s a step towards personalized, accessible healthcare. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovations that empower individuals to take charge of their health. By embracing these tools, we’re not just simplifying blood tests; we’re redefining the patient experience.
The post At-Home Blood Sampling: Tasso, RedDrop and YourBio Reviews appeared first on The Medical Futurist.