New Technology Enables Fast Plasma Collection from Small Blood Samples

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 May 2014

A "lab-on-a-card" collection technology now enables rapid generation of plasma from a single finger-prick blood sample, at high quality suitable for applications such as LC-MS/MS analysis.

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI; Columbia, MD, USA), subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation (Kyoto, Japan), has introduced Noviplex Cards, a next-generation sample collection tool for accelerated blood plasma collection and analysis. The cards allow for rapid collection of a volumetric sample of plasma from an unmeasured small amount of whole blood within minutes. They are ideal for uses such as LC-MS/MS analysis. Noviplex also provides exceptional reproducibility independent of hematocrit, 99% removal of red blood cells, and rapid sample preparation for MS-based analysis while maintaining assay reproducibility and selectivity.

Image: The Noviplex Card – a next-generation sample collection technology for accelerated blood plasma collection and analysis (Photo courtesy of Shimadzu Scientific Instruments).

Noviplex Cards simplify blood collection by eliminating the need for phlebotomy, syringes, and glass collection tubes. Plasma can be generated from specimen volumes ranging from 20–75 µL of whole blood. The technology offers a single-step, solid-phase method for sample preparation and analyte extraction. It accelerates processes by eliminating refrigeration, centrifugation, solvent extraction, and evaporation.

Shimadzu partnered with Novilytic Laboratories (Novilytic; North Webster, IN, USA) to offer the Noviplex Cards. “Next-generation Novilytic Laboratory advances in sample collection and preparation vastly accelerate disease marker analysis and enable a paradigm change in clinical chemistry, wellness monitoring, and medicine,” said Fred Regnier, PhD, professor emeritus, John H. Law distinguished professor of Chemistry, Purdue University, and a co-founder of Novilytic. “Noviplex technology enables lab-free sample preparation, and the convenient ‘lab-on-a-card’ format rapidly generates plasma for LC-MS/MS analysis,” said Scott Kuzdzal, PhD, life science business unit manager at SSI; “This will greatly simplify collection and processing in medical clinics, labs, and hospitals.”

Related Links:
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Noviplex Cards
Novilytic Laboratories