Capitainer Launches New Self-Sampling Blood Collection Product

Capitainer AB has unveiled a new self-sampling product for market that can collect five times as much blood as its predecessor and enables more and other types of analyses. It is also easier for laboratories to implement.

“It means that more laboratories will have the opportunity to analyse our samples. It will be easier to implement and take advantage of our smart self-sampling solutions, and it offers new opportunities for rural areas in developing countries,” CEO Christopher Aulin said.
 
The self-sampling card, Capitainer B 50, collects and stores a significantly larger amount of blood (2 x 50 microliters), complementing its predecessor (2 x 10 microliters). This makes it possible to measure significantly more biomarkers in the blood from the same sample and also offers a broader range of analyses, as some substances require a larger amount of blood for the analysis to be accurate.
 
Capitainer’s patented products for self-sampling are based on the patient (or with assistance) collecting blood using a unique sample card. The card absorbs a precise amount of blood that is dried in a protected paper disc. The sample is then sent by regular mail to the laboratory for analysis—no need for refrigerated transport or special packaging. A larger sample volume means better compatibility with existing laboratory assays, processes, and equipment.
  
Capitainer B 50 enables analyses requiring larger blood volumes for accurate analytical sensitivity. These include quantitative PCR, which is measured in, for example, HIV and hepatitis. The new product can also be used to analyse substances that occur in low concentrations, such as doping substances.
 
Capitainer develops a complete platform for self-sampling blood, plasma, and urine. Currently on the market are Capitainer B (blood) and Capitainer B Vanadate (a card developed to enable a correct analysis of PEth, an essential marker for long-term alcohol intake/abuse).
 
Capitainer AB is a Swedish medtech company founded in 2016. Capitainer develops and sells intelligent solutions for self-sampling of blood, plasma, and urine. The company has developed unique technologies for collecting an exact amount of fluid and then allowing it to dry. The precision and accuracy in Capitainer’s samples perform on the same level as established pipetting methods, the company claims. The products can be applied within several market segments, for instance, clinical biomarkers, therapeutic drug monitoring, genomics, drug development, drug abuse and doping testing, and R&D and clinical studies.