Just read an insightful paper in Applied Sciences on using image analysis to correct for the haematocrit effect in DBS samples. It’s a demonstration of how far we need to go to make DBS truly reliable in advanced diagnostics.

The haematocrit problem is a core flaw to DBS
· In DBS, the haematocrit (Ht) (i.e. red cell fraction) affects how blood spreads on paper: high Ht=more viscous, smaller spot; low Ht=lower viscosity, wider spread.
· Because most workflows punch a fixed-diameter disc from the spot, a high-Ht sample disc will contain more blood mass than a low-Ht disc from the same volume. That discrepancy introduces bias in analyte quantitation.

Why this matters (and especially now)?
Precision medicine and lower limits demand accuracy. As diagnostics push into ultra-low concentrations (e.g. cell-free DNA, biomarkers, multiplexed panels), any bias or variability from sample prep gets magnified.

For regulated assays, biases beyond ± 15% are often unacceptable. If Ht‑related bias creeps in, you risk failing validation or regulatory metrics.

DBS has been championed for remote sampling and global health. But if results vary dramatically depending on donor Ht or spot formation technique, robustness is compromised.

The need for adjustment for example using image scanning of cards, area-to-Ht modelling, and post-collection correction simply adds complexity, cost, and invites error. It defeats much of the simplicity argument behind DBS.

Why GoCollect™ could be the answer?
A system that collects a defined volumetric sample irrespective of blood viscosity removes the core cause of Ht‐induced bias. If your device design can ensure full uptake and uniform drying, you minimise differential spread effects altogether.

We aim to cut out punching, patch corrections, and destructive sample handling and instead provide a cost-comparable solution the provides near-complete analyte recovery whilst maintaining the advantages of dried blood.

DBS has been a powerful tool especially in neonatal screening and population health but it’s showing its age in the era of high-precision diagnostics. Even clever corrections like image‑based Ht estimation are just sticking plasters.

You need a fundamentally volumetric, consistent, low‑variance sampling device. That’s the future ReadyGo is heading.

Test pilots needed! Please contact us if you would like to use our products in your RUO studies.