The collection and analysis of biological samples play a pivotal role in understanding diseases, developing treatments, and improving patient outcomes. While blood sampling is widely utilized in medical research and diagnostics, there is growing interest in the benefits offered by plasma sampling.

What is plasma? Plasma is the largest single component of blood, making up about 55% of total blood volume. It is a clear, light-yellow liquid, which carries platelets, red and white blood cells. It contains over 700 proteins and substances, and once separated from blood can be made into medicines or used in life saving transfusions.

Enhanced Precision: When compared to whole blood, plasma offers a clearer and more concentrated sample for analysis. This enhanced precision is particularly valuable when identifying biomarkers, gaining insight into general wellness, and detecting markers of acute and chronic disease.

Stability and Longevity: Plasma samples have been seen to exhibit greater stability and longevity in comparison to whole blood samples. The removal of cellular components reduces the risk of sample degradation and minimizes the risk of hemolysis, which can interfere with certain assays. Plasma can also be stored at very low temperatures for extended periods without compromising the integrity of the sample. This stability makes plasma a great choice for biobanking initiatives and studies which require long-term sample storage.

Biomarker Detection: Plasma sampling offers researchers a versatile platform for biomarker detection and monitoring, providing important insights into disease progression, treatment response and outcomes. These biomarkers can be used to detect issues from cardiovascular disease and cancer to infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Accessibility: The collection of a plasma sample is often less invasive than obtaining whole blood. Many diagnostic procedures only require a small volume of blood for analysis, making it more convenient and causing less discomfort to the patient.

The advantages of plasma sampling in diagnostic care and medical research are indisputable. By harnessing the power of plasma-based analyses, healthcare professionals and researchers can continue to increase their understanding of disease, and treatment development, ultimately improving patient care, prevention and outcomes.

Access to quality healthcare can profoundly impact a person’s overall health.

Traditionally, healthcare systems operate in a reactive manner, creating a care plan for a patient after unusual symptoms have been noticed. We all know the drill – initial appointment, collection of samples, said samples being sent to the lab, and then the wait until your healthcare professional can diagnose. Waiting days, and sometimes weeks for a diagnosis can be potentially life-threatening for patients who need immediate medical intervention, not to mention those who haven’t experienced symptoms at all. Issues associated with this reactive healthcare style are worsened by limited resources and social determinants which act as barriers to equitable healthcare access. 

In the past few years, there have been drastic changes in the way that people engage with their health. The COVID-19 global pandemic highlighted the need for accessible care, putting self-administered microsampling tools at the top of the list as attractive alternatives to maintain routine healthcare assessments. These changing patient preferences allow for a more active system that empowers patients to be more involved in their health status, moving healthcare towards a more personalized model.

Finger-stick blood collection is easily performed at home or remotely, removing the need for a trained professional. It is how a sample is processed and stored prior to arriving at the laboratory which requires more innovation. The good news – that’s an element you don’t have to worry about. The past decade has seen substantial innovation for the development of new materials and technologies to collect low-volume samples of blood for the type of at-home testing required.

The convenience of this at-home diagnostic testing allows patients to seek treatment earlier, improving clinical outcomes and decreasing chances of complications. Removing many of the historical barriers associated with healthcare, at-home testing and microsampling allows for more prevention-focused care, further driving improved population health outcomes.

For more information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10013775/

As medical devices and point-of-care tests become more complex and popular, it’s important to explore the importance of designing with the user in mind.

Due to their portability and versatility, medical devices are becoming increasingly popular, driving much innovation to this rapidly evolving industry. However, very few devices have been successfully translated into their intended environments, outside of academic settings. Often overlooked, it is crucial to consider usability and user-centric design when creating patient-centered solutions.

By prioritizing usability and putting the patient first, manufacturers can significantly improve health outcomes. User-centric design focuses on creating an interface that a patient understands and feels comfortable with, reducing the learning curve for healthcare professionals and patients alike. Similarly, user-centric medical devices are more likely to enhance patient safety, accuracy, adoption, compliance and satisfaction.

Field testing at various stages of the design process can offer critical feedback on usability. It is vital not only to understand the solution you’re trying to provide, but also the perceived problem, the challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Conducting user research and performing a needs assessment can provide valuable insights into accessibility, inclusivity, design components, and desired feedback mechanisms.

Thoughtful collaborations with stakeholders, healthcare professionals and patients can facilitate the path to successful commercialization and implementation. Focusing on those who will benefit the most from said device is the cornerstone of user-centered design. One must first understand their needs, preferences, and limitations. Defining and understanding the problem correctly is essential before moving on to solving it.

Designing devices for usability can create more effective user experiences that empower the end-user with high-value solutions and better patient care.