Case Studies

Automated Mitra® with VAMS® Technology

About Mitra® Devices:

Conventional blood sampling methods, which involve invasive procedures with hypodermic needles, can cause discomfort, anxiety, pain, and phobia for patients. In response to these challenges, blood microsampling emerges as a viable and innovative alternative, allowing for the minimally invasive collection of small blood quantities. This approach addresses the limitations associated with traditional methods, significantly reducing patient discomfort and anxiety. Blood microsampling offers a more patient-friendly solution, potentially improving overall compliance and enhancing the healthcare experience.

The automated Mitra® device streamlines the sampling procedure, reducing the reliance on qualified personnel and establishing a more standardized approach. Its automation ensures consistent and accurate  sampling, minimizing the risk of pre-analytical errors. Additionally, the Mitra® device supports at-home self-sampling, promoting decentralization and healthcare convenience.

By facilitating the collection of small blood volumes in a user-friendly manner, it effectively addresses challenges associated with traditional methods, such as patient anxiety and the need for sterile clinical environments. Overall, the automated Mitra® device represents a significant advancement in blood microsampling, offering a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric approach to sample collection for biomedical analysis.

Integrating Mitra® devices with VAMS® Technology:

The experiment began with this hypothesis:

Is it possible to automate the process of transferring VAMS® tips from the dedicated 96-Autorack™ for Mitra® devices directly into the vial, allowing for the continuation of the automated extraction as part of a fully automated workflow?

Researchers at Element had already conducted preliminary tests employing Mitra® devices integrated with VAMS® technology, focusing on automating sample preparation exclusively. To achieve this, they translated the manual procedure onto their X-Y robotic platform, employing Design of Experiment (DoE) to optimize the automated extraction methodology for specific analytes in whole blood using Mitra® devices. Following this optimization, they validated the comparability between the manual and automated approaches. From there, it was logical to continue exploration of the possibility of completing the workflow.

Results:

The Mitra® device employs a groundbreaking strategy in blood microsampling, efficiently capturing a predetermined volume of blood. This design addresses concerns related to spot migration and biases in punch locations observed in traditional techniques like Dried Blood Spots (DBS). Integrating Mitra® devices with VAMS® (Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling) technology further enhances the process’s efficiency. Scientists have successfully automated the pre-extraction phase by combining Mitra® devices with VAMS® tips, streamlining the sampling procedure and optimizing overall workflow for enhanced precision and reliability in blood sample analysis. This advancement marks a significant leap forward in blood microsampling methodologies, providing researchers with a sophisticated and dependable approach to sample collection and analysis.

ILT’s Role:

In the process of integrating Mitra® devices with VAMS® technology, Element (formerly Anatune) collaborated with ILT and the Neoteryx team at Trajan Scientific and Medical. ILT supplied high-quality caps and septa, ensuring a secure and tight seal for the collection devices to prevent potential leakage or contamination during sampling and storage. This is particularly crucial when dealing with small blood volumes in microsampling, where even minor losses can significantly impact result accuracy. Proper sealing safeguards the integrity of collected samples, minimizing the risk of degradation or evaporation. Additionally, the quality of caps and septa contributes to maintaining a sterile environment, essential for preserving biomarker stability in collected blood samples. These components played a pivotal role in guaranteeing the integrity of seals for laboratory collection containers, ensuring secure and reliable performance and aiding scientists in overcoming developmental challenges encountered during the experiment for successful integration. More details about the work can be found here.