Routine blood collection still relies heavily on trained professionals, even when only a small volume or a single tube is needed. HomeRUN is developing HemoCatch, a microneedle-based, vacuum-assisted device for standardized capillary blood collection. The device combines controlled skin penetration with negative pressure to collect low-volume blood samples in a patient-friendly and reproducible way.
With support from the TTT MedTech voucher, the team will develop the first functional minimum viable product by integrating the firing and vacuum mechanisms that were previously tested separately. The prototype will enable systematic optimization of key parameters, including needle configuration, penetration depth, firing speed, and negative pressure.
In parallel, HomeRUN will prepare the regulatory and quality pathway under the European Medical Device Regulation, strengthen its patent strategy, and validate clinical, laboratory, and market requirements with key stakeholders. The initial use case is supervised blood collection in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, where HemoCatch could reduce workflow burden and waiting times. In the longer term, the technology may also enable convenient home-based monitoring.