1. Seventh Sense Biosystems TAP 20TM Painless Blood Draw Device
Rachel McAteer
BME 181

2. What is it?
TAP 20TM is a TAP (Touch Activated Phlebotomy) device that serves as an alternative to intravenous blood collection.
One-touch process
Approximately 5cm in diameter
Can hold up to 20 microliters

3. How does it work?
Rather than traditional needles, the device uses 16 micro- needles.
Device adheres to skin (forearm region)
‘Tap’ process allows micro-needles to penetrate uppermost layers of the skin, collecting capillary blood. A vacuum carries the blood through channels into an internal reservoir
After 2 minutes, process is complete and device is removed (a mark resembling a mosquito bite will remain)
Samples can be tested on location, or sent to a lab.

4. Benefits
Designed to increase patient compliance by reducing anxiety and discomfort traditionally associated with blood collection
Portable
Efficient: holds a large enough sample to allow for a wide range of diagnostic tests
Safe testing of HIV and other infectious diseases
Projected to be affordable
Should be commercially available within the next 2-3 years

5. Results/Discussion
To date, Seventh Sense Biosystems has had on-going human testing of their TAP technology, but expects to begin pivotal trials in mid 2013.
In 2011, Seventh Sense Biosystems received the Edison Gold Medal Award
Received a $3.8 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
TAP 100TM (holding up to 100 microliters) is in the works
The company hopes to improve the device to perform other tasks such as delivering insulin

6. Resources
< device-using-microneedles-could-be-available-in-2013/> ‘Painless Blood Draw Device Using Microneedles Could be Available in 2013
< 7/touch-activation-revolutionize-blood- collection#.UXM1981sg9U> Touch Activation to Revolutionize Blood Collection
< Seventh Sense Biosystems Announces Initiation of Registration Trial for Painless TAP™ Blood Collection Device
< TAP Blood Products