SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTION AND/OR MANIPULATION OF BLOOD SPOTS OR OTHER BODILY FLUIDS
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids) from a subject, e.g., from or beneath the skin of a subject. In some cases, the blood (or other bodily fluids) may be deposited on a membrane or other substrate. For example, blood may be absorbed in a substrate, and dried in some cases to produce a dried blood spot. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for receiving blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin, using devices including a substance transfer component (which may contain, for example, one or more microneedles), and directing the blood on a substrate, e.g., for absorbing blood. The substrate, in some embodiments, may comprise filter paper or cotton-based paper. After absorption of some blood onto the substrate, the substrate may be removed from the device and shipped or analyzed.
1 . A device for receiving blood from the skin and/or from beneath the skin of a subject, the device comprising:
a substance transfer component for receiving blood from the skin of the subject;
a vacuum chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure before blood is received into the device from the substance transfer component; and
a substrate for absorbing blood received from the subject.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a blood spot membrane.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises filter paper.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises cotton-based paper.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises Whatman 903™ paper.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a recess, wherein the recess contains the substrate for absorbing blood.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate for absorbing blood is positioned proximate the vacuum chamber.
8 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has an area of no more than about 5 cm 2 .
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of substrates for absorbing blood received from the subject.
15 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises desiccant.
19 . (canceled)
20 . The device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the device is sealable to create an airtight portion surrounding the substrate for absorbing blood.
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of the device comprises a movable portion that sealingly creates the airtight portion when moved into position.
22 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a cover for covering at least a portion of the substance transfer component.
23 . (canceled)
24 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a tracking apparatus.
25 . (canceled)
26 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a stabilizer.
27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the stabilizer comprises a chelating agent.
28 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the stabilizer comprises an enzyme inhibitor.
29 . The device of claims 26 , wherein the stabilizer comprises a lysing agent.
30 . A device for receiving a bodily fluid from the skin and/or from beneath the skin of a subject, the device comprising:
a substance transfer component for receiving the bodily fluid from the skin of the subject;
a vacuum chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure before the bodily fluid is received into the device from the substance transfer component; and
a substrate for absorbing the bodily fluid received from the subject.
31 . A method, comprising:
applying a device to the skin of a subject, wherein the device applies reduced pressure to the skin of the subject; and
withdrawing blood from the skin of the subject into the device such that at least a portion of the blood contacts a substrate for absorbing the blood.
32 . (canceled)