Method and apparatus for desorption of a blood sample from a medical test sheet

1. A method for desorption of a blood sample from a medical test sheet comprising at least one dried blood spot on the medical test sheet, for the purpose of biomedical analysis of the blood sample using an apparatus having an automatic test sheet handling system including at least one magazine for storing a plurality of such test sheets and a pick-and-place mechanism, the method comprising:

picking up test sheets from the at least one test sheet magazine by the pick-and-place mechanism;

interposing the test sheet, having first and second opposite faces, inbetween first and second clamping heads, the first clamping head having a first outer surface and the second clamping head having a second outer surface, the first and second outer surfaces facing towards one another, such that the first face of the test sheet is facing towards the first outer surface, while the second face of the test sheet is facing towards the second outer surface;

clamping the first and the second clamping heads onto the interposed test sheet such that the first and the second clamping heads meet together in a clamped condition thereby transmitting compressive forces to parts of the test sheet, in which the compressive forces create an imprinted sealing area of the test sheet, the imprinted sealing area having a closed loop shape surrounding a desorption area of the test sheet, the desorption area containing at least part of the at least one dried blood spot, and the desorption area being contained in a space enveloped by the first and the second outer surfaces and sealed by the imprinted sealing area, whereby the imprinted sealing area seals the desorption area from portions of the test sheet located exterior of said closed loop in the clamped condition; and

flushing the desorption area of the clamped test sheet with a sample elution fluid such that the blood sample is desorbed and eluted from the desorption area, said flushing taking place via a first fluid conduit extending through the first clamping head and a second fluid conduit extending through the second clamping head, each of the first and second fluid conduits ending in said enveloped space containing the desorption area of the test sheet:

moving the at least one test sheet away from the clamping heads; and

storing or discarding the at least one test sheet.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the test sheet includes filter paper, which filter paper contains at least part of the at least one dried blood spot.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the test sheet in said clamped condition is sandwiched inbetween a first cover sheet and a second cover sheet.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

injecting the desorbed and eluted blood sample together with a mobile phase into analyzing means for realizing said biomedical analysis, wherein said sample elution fluid functions as said mobile phase and wherein said flushing of the desorption area and said injecting into the analyzing means are simultaneously driven by the action of a pumping means, such as a gradient pump or a high pressure dispenser.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

temporarily storing at least the desorbed and eluted blood sample in a sample loop; and

injecting at least a part of the blood sample stored in the sample loop, together with a mobile phase, into analyzing means for realizing said biomedical analysis, wherein said storing and said injecting is controlled by switching of valve means.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the sample loop comprises a solid phase extraction cartridge.