iClean® Dried Blood Spot Collection Card

1. Definition
   • The iClean® Dried Blood Spot Collection Card is a card specifically used for collecting dried blood spot samples. It has important applications in medical diagnosis, drug monitoring, research, and other fields.
2. Material and Design
   • Material: This collection card is usually made of high – quality filter paper. The filter paper has good water – absorption and blood – spreading properties, ensuring that the blood is evenly distributed on the card paper. For example, the filter paper material adopted may be specially – treated cellulose filter paper, which enables rapid blood penetration while preventing blood back – flow.
   • Design: There are usually specific circular or square areas on the card, which are used to hold blood samples. Each sample area usually has clear markings to facilitate users’ recording of sample information. Moreover, the card is reasonably sized for easy handling and storage.

II. Functional characteristics

1. Convenient Blood Collection
   • This collection card makes the blood – collecting process simple and easy. Only a small amount of blood (usually obtained through minimally – invasive methods such as finger – pricking) needs to be dropped onto the sample area of the card, and the blood will naturally spread and penetrate into the filter paper. For example, in neonatal disease screening, medical staff can easily collect a small amount of blood from the heel of a newborn and drop it onto the collection card without the need for complex blood – collecting equipment.
2. High Sample Stability
   • Once the blood dries on the collection card to form dried blood spots, the biological components in the sample can remain stable for a long period. This is because the dried blood spots are in a dry environment, reducing the possibility of biochemical reactions and microbial growth. For example, for some samples that need to be transported over long distances or stored for a long time, the dried blood spot collection card can well preserve the integrity of the samples, ensuring the accuracy of subsequent tests.
3. Convenient for Transportation and Storage
   • The dried blood spot collection card is small in size, light in weight, and does not require special storage conditions (it can generally be stored at room temperature). This makes its transportation between the sample – collecting site and the testing laboratory very convenient. Whether sample collection is carried out in remote areas or samples are sent to other laboratories overseas, it can be easily achieved.

III. Methods of use

1. Preparation
   • Before use, ensure that the packaging of the collection card is intact to avoid contamination of the collection card. At the same time, prepare blood – collecting tools, such as disposable blood – collecting needles and alcohol cotton balls. If blood is to be collected from a patient, explain the purpose and process of blood collection to the patient to obtain their cooperation.
2. Blood – Collecting Process
   • Use an alcohol cotton ball to disinfect the blood – collecting site (such as the fingertip, heel, etc.). After the alcohol has evaporated, use a disposable blood – collecting needle to pierce the skin. Gently squeeze the blood – collecting site to allow the blood to naturally drip onto the sample area of the collection card. Generally, a certain amount (usually determined according to testing requirements) of blood needs to be dripped into each sample area. For example, it may be required to drip about 50 – 100 microliters of blood onto each circular sample area.
3. Drying Treatment
   • Allow the blood to dry naturally on the collection card. This process usually takes several minutes to dozens of minutes, depending on the size of the blood drop and the humidity of the environment. During the drying process, avoid contamination of the blood sample by impurities such as dust. It is best to place the collection card in a clean, dry, and well – ventilated place.
4. Sample Labeling and Storage
   • After the blood has completely dried to form dried blood spots, label relevant sample information on the collection card, such as the collection date, patient’s name, sample number, etc. Then place the collection card in a sealed bag or a dedicated sample – storage box, store it at room temperature, or transport it as required.

IV. Areas of application

1. Neonatal Disease Screening
   • Soon after a newborn is born, by using the iClean® Dried Blood Spot Collection Card to collect heel – prick blood, early screening for a variety of congenital diseases can be carried out. For example, screening for congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, etc. If these diseases can be detected early and treated with intervention, the quality of life and health status of the newborn can be greatly improved.
2. Drug Monitoring
   • In clinical drug treatment, this collection card can be used to monitor the drug concentration in patients’ bodies. Doctors can analyze patients’ drug – metabolizing status based on dried blood spot samples and then adjust the dosage and treatment plan. For example, for patients receiving anti – epilepsy drug treatment, by regularly collecting dried blood spot samples, it is possible to accurately understand whether the drug concentration in patients’ bodies is within the effective treatment range.
3. Disease Diagnosis and Research
   • In the diagnosis and research of some diseases, the dried blood spot collection card also plays an important role. For example, in infectious disease research, dried blood spot samples of patients can be collected for detecting antibodies or nucleic acids of pathogens. In the diagnosis of hereditary diseases, dried blood spot samples can provide sufficient genetic material for gene analysis, helping doctors determine the diagnosis and formulate treatment strategies