Seventh Sense Biosystems, Cambridge, Mass, a medical device company developing integrated blood micro-collection and analysis platforms, has initiated a registration trial for its painless TAP (Touch Activated Phlebotomy) blood collection device. The company expects to file for marketing authorization in the United States and in the European Union in the second quarter of 2013.

TAP is a proprietary platform that draws capillary blood in a painless, one-step process without having to access a vein. It can be utilized across and integrated with a broad spectrum of diagnostic applications. The TAP system penetrates the uppermost layers of skin through the use of micro-needles, collects capillary blood using a novel microfluidic extraction process, and stabilizes the blood with anticoagulant if required. The device has a visual indicator to confirm that collection is complete. The TAP platform is designed for fully automated, high throughput manufacturing.. The TAP platform is expected to provide a faste pathway to diagnostic results, while also increasing safety and eliminating pain.