| This startup's crazy-simple invention could be the future of telemedicine |
| | Good morning,
Think of Tasso as the "Netflix of blood collection."
That was the vision of Ben Casavant and Erwin Berthier when they dreamed up the business in their University of Wisconsin lab. While conducting doctoral research in 2011, the pair needed blood samples--and often couldn’t get them until patients visited the hospital. "There were only two ways to get a blood sample: through a finger stick or a venipuncture draw," Casavant tells Inc.. "That means it is painful, and you have to take time out of your day to do it. Both ways are terrible."
Netflix was still shipping DVDs across the country, so Casavant and Berthier dreamed up a simple method for patients to do at-home blood draws and easily return those samples to the lab by dropping them in pre-paid packaging. Their invention is OnDemand, a big red button that goes on a patient’s upper arm. Clicking the button releases a tiny lancet, which needs only reach the capillary network right under the surface of the skin. Casavant says it’s practically painless.
The tech was originally intended for monitoring chronic diseases like diabetes. Since then, it has proven useful for clinical drug trials and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s drug-testing efforts. Demand should continue to rise given how the pandemic’s has accelerated interest in telemedicine--and indeed, Tasso is already anticipating new Covid-inspired needs.
Read our story to learn how this startup's crazy-simple invention could be the future of telemedicine. |
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