Progressing e-health and patient centered health care through patient near plasma sampling

Important results from the project

The project will develop a system for quantitative plasma sampling, which the patient can use at home by a stick in the finger and then send by regular mail to the laboratory for analysis. The aim is to increase access to care for patients by streamlining current processes for blood sampling and management. This is achieved by removing costly and laborious steps associated with conventional blood sampling such as transport to health centers, the need for a trained nurse to take the sample and the need for refrigerated transport to the laboratory.

Expected long term effects

The result of the project enables patient-centered digital health diagnostic services as these are still dependent on patients going to a care facility for the sampling that is necessary. The patient-centered way of diagnosing would mean reduced costs for healthcare and save time and effort for patients and thus lead to increased availability of healthcare. The product is also expected to contribute to reduced CO2 emissions and energy consumption as self-sampling streamlines and partially eliminates transportation of both patients and samples.

Approach and implementation

Capitainer AB has developed a prototype for quantitative plasma sampling from a fingertip. In the project, this will be developed into a CE-marked product. In order for the system to be implemented in a laboratory routine, new analysis methods on samples taken with the product need to be developed. Karolinska Universitetssjukhus and Linköping University will evaluate the system for detection of markers in clinical chemistry and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. Methods for the detection of Albumin, Vitamin D, CDT (alcohol marker) and antiepileptic drugs will be developed on the system.