Tomtec has developed a family of pre-etched cards that have improved the quality and quantity of samples to be reclaimed from the perforated material. Rather than extract a 3 or 5mm punch, which may contain varying levels of blood content, i.e., Hematocrit, the new cards allow a lab to recover the entire sample. This was achieved by punching out the saturated etched target which improved both qualitative and quantitative test results.

Tomtec provides multiple perforated spot sizes. Our PDMS4 uses a 6mm spot, the largest size that can be eluted in the 96 well format.  The PDMS4-B has a 3/6 inch spot, which may be eluted in a 48 well plate. The PDMS4-C has a ½ inch spot and can be eluted into a 24 well tissue culture plate, providing the availability of more sample to the user.

The AutoDBS-1 is the first in a line of low cost DBS bio-sampling instrument, designed to automate the extraction of blood components from a Tomtec or third-party DBS cards via a 3 or 5 mm punch head. This semi-automatic instrument interfaces with LIMS to provide GLP and ‘Chain-of-custody’ for extracted plugs as they are transferred to 96 well assays.

The AutoDBS-3 is designed to take advantage of Tomtecs perforated DBS slides. The AutoDBS-3 is a proof of concept platform that allows users to deploy a full GLP workflow for DBS-bio sampling leveraging the Tomtec family of perforated DBS slides. This semi-manual instrument works in conjunction with a MS Excel driven application running on a connected Windows based personal computer.

Tomtec has designed the new AutoDBS-4 to meet the growing demands of International Newborn Screening programs.  With versatility in mind, the AutoDBS-4 will punch via it’s 3 or 6mm head, from any dry blood spot sample card, into a prepared microtitration plate.  Up to  ten 96 well sample plates may be used, with the option of two plates being deep well.