Minimally Invasive, Self-Collection of Large Volume Biospecimens

The Tasso HemoLink is an integrated device that aims at simplifying blood collection. The wearable device was engineered with a focus on simplicity both for the user, by integrating all the traditional steps of blood collection in a simple press of a button, and for the laboratory workflow, by collecting the sample in a detachable reservoir that can insert into standard laboratory analyzers. We will demonstrate field use in collaboration with Boston University by testing 100 HemoLinks in an epidemic outbreak readiness training exercise, as well as a pilot deployment of 100 devices to be used in Sub-Saharan Africa. In parallel, we will evaluate sample integrity of nucleic acid measures from 40 subjects in on-going longitudinal studies to identify early detection markers of influenza virus in collaboration with the Prometheus team at the University of Maryland. Combining user feedback and sample integrity data, we will work to integrate device improvements that minimize pathogen exposure and streamline downstream sample processing to enable a direct link from sample collection to analysis. Finally, we will utilize the user and workflow information collected to plan a large scale pilot deployment to test in the USA and Sub-Saharan Africa.