A medical device for the minimally invasive collection of samples from a patient in their own home over prolonged periods of time.

The device provides a hitherto unavailable, but highly desirable tool for the automated collection of clinical and biological samples known to vary over the day, including during undisturbed sleep, an area that remains challenging and insufficiently explored. Simple, portable and robust this device offers the potential to collect and store multiple relevant samples from a subject during normal activity and away from the artificial and stressful hospital environment. 

Key Benefits

• Simple and robust, based on the wellestablished principle of air fractionation
• Allows the automated collection of discrete, timed samples over extended time periods (>48 hours)
• Adaptable for use with a wide range of samples (microdialysate, blood etc.) and analytes (hormones, drug metabolites etc.)
• Portable and minimally invasive allowing a subject to undertake normal activities
• An adjunct to established, validated sampling and analytical methods

Applications

• A basic research tool
• Clinical Monitoring for prognosis / diagnosis of disease. Initial applications include endocrinology e.g. Cushing’s disease and acromegaly
• Remote clinical trial monitoring for biomarkers and drug metabolite IP Status Patent applications have been filed in order to protect the device and partners are sought to take through to market.

Email laura.newell@bristol.ac.uk for more information.

Other available technologies

See our other available technologies.