Tomtec believes that dried blood spots (DBS) will create a paradigm change for bioanalytical analysis. The company’s new DBS slide takes the place of the paper card. It uses the same low cost automation that Kodak used for 35mm color slide projection. The slides will be processed using desiccated cassettes holding 96 slides.
The manually operated AutoDBS 1 is a low cost instrument to assist users in getting started. It interfaces with a LIMS to track the sample into the 96-well format. It can punch directly into the upper barrel of Tomtec’s Quadra tips. It provides elution using the mixing agitation of the Quadra. Ultrasonic disruption is also available. A fully automated AutoDBS 2, designed around the company’s cassettes, will be available in the Spring 2011 to provide full walk-away automation.
The system will provide automated spot selection with closed loop feedback. Each DBS Slide has a positive sample identifier from source to discard. This, in combination with desiccated cassettes, is designed to meet the GLP requirements of recall in a cost-effective manner, according to the company.
