Medford, Mass.-based Seventh Sense Biosystems developed a device the size of a walnut to eliminate the fear, pain and inconvenience associated with drawing blood.
TAP100 uses a ring of 30 spring-loaded microneedles, each about the size of an eyelash, to quickly puncture the skin and withdraw 100 micro liters of blood — enough for most common blood tests. The device attaches to the patient's arm with an adhesive strip, produces little to no pain and leaves almost no trace on the skin.
Howard Weisman, chief executive of Seventh Sense, believes TAP100 could serve as a widespread replacement for conventional blood draw methods like syringes and finger sticks. Unlike needles and sticks, this device is simple enough that patients could draw their own blood. Plus, phlebotomists would not have to worry about finding a prominent vein in a patient's arm.
Seven Sense conducted a trial on 120 patients at three hospitals, which proved the device could safely and consistently draw 100 micro liters of blood during every use.
Novartis and Laboratory Corporation of America, two of the largest companies in the blood diagnostics business, are both evaluating uses for the device.
The company hopes to earn FDA approval by the end of the summer.
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