Non-invasive, User-Applied Blood Test Writhes its Way Into Medical Field, Potentially Eliminating the Need for Needles
In a significant breakthrough for the healthcare sector, Tasso Inc. has developed a groundbreaking device that promises to revolutionise blood testing. The device, designed for patient self-use, eliminates the need for needles, making blood sampling a virtually painless and user-friendly process [1][2][3].
The Tasso device, which includes models such as the TASSO+, TASSO-SST, and TASSO-M20, attaches to the upper arm and uses a simple push-button mechanism to activate a gentle vacuum that draws blood [1][2]. Key to this innovation is the use of a vacuum-based microfluidic system, ensuring a painless experience for users [1].
This device is set to democratise diagnostics, making them more accessible for a broader population. By eliminating the discomfort and inconvenience associated with traditional venipuncture and clinic visits, Tasso's technology is particularly beneficial for individuals in remote areas, those with mobility challenges, or people requiring frequent monitoring, such as in clinical trials or for pharmacologic studies [2][3].
The devices are also compatible with shipping samples to laboratories for analysis, supporting remote healthcare delivery and expanding the reach of diagnostic services [1][2]. This aspect could have a global impact, particularly in countries without clinical infrastructure, opening up diagnostic possibilities for people who may not have easy access to clinics or hospitals [2].
The Tasso device could also provide real-time population health data, making preventative screenings more accessible to everyone [3]. Capillary blood, which the Tasso device collects, is increasingly recognised as equally reliable for many standard tests, with some surprising advantages. For instance, capillary blood reflects real-time metabolic changes faster than venous blood [3].
The potential of the Tasso device has not gone unnoticed, with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarding it a $3 million grant for its potential to change how diagnostics work in remote and high-risk settings [3]. The device is pending FDA clearance and could be available within the year [3].
If the Tasso device scales, blood draws may never look the same again. By lowering the barrier to entry for routine testing, it could drive higher participation, leading to richer data for chronic conditions and potentially improving overall healthcare outcomes [3]. The device is capable of handling routine tests like cholesterol panels, blood sugar readings, cancer screenings, and infection markers [3].
In conclusion, the Tasso device is set to streamline the blood collection process, empower patients to manage their own health checks, and make routine blood testing more convenient and less invasive for a broader population [1][2][3]. This innovation could be a game-changer in the healthcare industry, making diagnostics more accessible, convenient, and pain-free for all.
References: [1] Tasso. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://tasso.com/ [2] Tasso. (2021, February 24). Tasso, Inc. Announces $3 Million Grant from DARPA to Advance Self-Collected Blood Sampling. PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tasso-inc-announces-3-million-grant-from-darpa-to-advance-self-collected-blood-sampling-301236945.html [3] Tasso. (2021, March 2). Tasso, Inc. Announces FDA Clearance of its TASSO+ Product for Self-Collected Blood Samples. PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tasso-inc-announces-fda-clearance-of-its-tasso-product-for-self-collected-blood-samples-301238576.html
- The Tasso device, a groundbreaking technological innovation in the healthcare sector, utilizes a vacuum-based microfluidic system to to enable self-administration of blood tests, revolutionizing health-and-wellness and medical-conditions diagnostics.
- Tasso's gadgets, such as the TASSO+, TASSO-SST, and TASSO-M20, aim to democratize diagnostics by making them readily available and accessible, particularly beneficial for individuals in remote areas, those with mobility challenges, and people requiring frequent monitoring.
- The Tasso device's potential to collect capillary blood, which has promising advantages such as reflecting real-time metabolic changes faster than venous blood, could drive preventative screenings in health-and-wellness, potentially improving overall healthcare outcomes for a broader population.
