Tubesense innovation

Tubesense

Tubesense is innovation conglomerate between Hessels + Grob, a manufacturer of temperature sensors and IdeAtics. The conglomerate is supported by governmental innovation funds.

Tubesense in hand

The business challenge

Temperature controlled logistics specializes in the storage, preservation and transportation of cargo that is sensitive to atmospheric conditions and needs to remain within certain temperature limits. This is imperative for many pharmaceutical products, as spoiled drugs might have serious consequences on the health and wellbeing. Temperature controlled logistics failure leads to four risks:

  • A patient could be administered an unsafe product.
  • A lack of compliance with global regulatory and standards-based requirements can increase liability.
  • Thermal variability can lead to inconsistency of results between and with- in batches.
  • The shipment can be rejected unjustified by the Quality Department, leading to costly delays

    • The value proposition

    TubeSense mitigates these four risks through monitoring with TubeSense equipment and software. Equipped with NFC chip and temperature sensor, the newly designed re-usable TubeSense temperature logging device offers a smart solution for the logistics of both biomedical samples (i.e. blood, urine) and temperature sensitive biological medication. Simultaneously Tubesense stores sample specifications, sample data, transport time en temperature profile during transport and storage. All data can be saved and stored in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by one simple scan of the device.

    How it works

    Based on the parameters associated with a specific analysis, a temperature profile is entered on the TubeSense platform (for ex- ample: ‘temperature may not exceed 30 degrees during one hour and may not drop below freezing point, temperature mea- sured every 15 minutes’). This data profile can be linked to the bar-codes prefix and suffix that are often used in most of the clinical laboratories.

    Before sending a sample kit to a patient the TubeSense logging device is attached to the test tube, and both the NFC identifier and the barcode are scanned and linked in this manner to the patient’s laboratory file or clinical file. After receiving the vial at home, the patient collects the sample and initiates the temperature monitoring by removing a tab that is attached to the logging device.

    Upon reception in the lab the vial with TubeSense logging device is scanned using the front-end app on the NFC reading device (Smartphone or alternatively a reader linked to a Windows PC). The temperature results are read and sent together with proof of receipt data to the TubeSense platform. Here, the temperature data is verified with the corresponding profile, after which the results are presented in the front-end app (for example: ‘vial has been in good temperature conditions during the whole process’) after which the sample can be accepted (or rejected, if not).

    The TubeSense platform stores temperature data, including track and trace data, the number of devices shipped, received, rejected or approved. Including date, time and information about the laboratory and the tests performed. From these data, a wealth of valuable statistics can be derived. All data are accessible via a web interface, including download options. Data can be exchanged with a LIMS using the available API.

    Solution details

    The NFC chip with the public digital identity temperature sensor are designed to work in collaboration. The NFC tag triggers the  communication with the Tubesense platform. The temperature sensor is collecting that data that are uploaded to the Tubesense platform. The collaboration between these technologies is innovative and forms the basis to the value proposition.

     

    The NFC chip with the public digital identity temperature sensor are designed to work in collaboration. The NFC tag triggers the  communication with the Tubesense platform. The temperature sensor is collecting that data that are uploaded to the Tubesense platform. The collaboration between these technologies is innovative and forms the basis to the value proposition.

    Hessels & Grob

    Hessels + Grob is an innovative laboratory that is specialized in preventive health research and nutritional medicine. The focus is on quality, the ease of use and self-management by the client. With a number of uniquely patented sampling systems, Hessels + Grob is at the forefront of the Office Collect Tests market: simply take a few drops of blood in the doctor or laboratory practice with a fingerstick and send it to a professional laboratory for analysis. And one step further for Home Collect Tests: simply take a few drops of blood at home. There is now a choice from more than 100 different analyses in blood, urine and saliva. Hessels + Grob provides services to doctor / therapist or providers of Preventive Medical Research. For more information see here. 

    Powered by IdeAtics pdi Platform

    The Tubesense platform is powered by the IdeAtics pdi Platform as well as the app and browser based functionalities for mobile devices with NFC capabilities on iOS and Android. The IdeAtics suite of solutions is provided to the Tubesense conglomerate as a Software as a Service (SaaS) offering, that is able to scale up wit business growth and does not require up front investments. IdeAtics consults Tubesense on an ongoing basis to further develop functionalities and capabilities to further digitally transform the medtech markets and their business models.