Credit Card-Sized Device Determines Blood Groups

The disposable, credit card sized device contains anti-A, anti-B, and anti-D antibodies printed into discrete microfluidic channels. Once the blood sample is applied, the test is performed with visible results available in less than one minute. The device can be stored at room temperature until needed, and a tube of buffer solution is included in the packaging to rehydrate the antibodies after prolonged storage.

The ABORhCard is a product of Micronics (Redmond, WA, USA), and was developed with funding by the U.S. army for use in battlefield and emergency situations. The device has been approved so far by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for personal educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended for blood bank processing of blood products, determining Rh status prior to administration of an immunoglobulin, or for screening purposes prior to blood transfusion.

"The introduction of the ABORhCard provides professionals with access to a credit card-sized device that makes it possible to determine a person's blood type and Rh status from a finger stick of whole blood, and it provides a visually-read result in minutes,” said Karen Hedine, president and CEO of Micronics.

Blood containing red cells with type A antigen on their surface contains serum antibodies against type B red cells. If, in transfusion, type B blood is injected into persons with type A blood, the red cells in the injected blood will be destroyed by the antibodies in the recipient's blood. In the same way, type A red cells will be destroyed by anti-A antibodies in type B blood. Type O blood can be injected into persons with type A, B, or O blood, unless there is incompatibility with respect to some other blood group system also present, such as Rhesus factor. Persons with type AB blood can receive type A, B, or O blood.

Related Links:
Micronics