The Science Behind Fingerprint Drug Testing
Fingerprint drug testing analyses trace amounts of drugs and their metabolites present in sweat from the fingertips.
When drugs are consumed, the body metabolises them. During this process, drug compounds and their metabolites circulate in the bloodstream and are excreted through sweat, saliva, urine, and blood.
Sweat-Based Drug Detection
The fingertips contain a high concentration of sweat glands, which makes them an ideal location for collecting trace amounts of sweat.
The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System is used to collect this sweat sample and screen for recent drug use.
This allows organisations to conduct drug screening without invasive collection procedures or specialist facilities.
How the Technology Works
During testing, a Drug Screening Cartridge is used to collect a sweat sample from all ten fingertips. The Cartridge contains fluorescence-labelled antibodies that specifically bind to targeted drugs or drug metabolites present in the sample.
Once the buffer solution is released, the lateral flow immunoassay works similarly to a pregnancy or COVID-19 test. The buffer solution dissolves the fingerprint residue and carries the antibodies along the test strip, where they bind to the specific drug-metabolite complex. This generates a fluorescence signal in the presence of the targeted substances.
The Cartridge is then inserted into the portable Reader. Within minutes, the Reader measures the fluorescence signal from the reaction in the Cartridge.
Screening Vs. Confirmatory Testing
The Intelligent Fingerprint Drug Screening System provides an initial screening result to indicate whether drugs may be present in the sample.
As with all point-of-care drug screening methods, a non-negative screening result requires laboratory confirmation.
The Intelligent Fingerprinting Laboratory Analysis Kit enables samples to be securely sent to an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory for confirmatory analysis. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry enables laboratories to identify and quantify specific drugs with a high degree of accuracy.
Detection Window
Different drug testing sample types detect drug use over different time periods.
Hair follicle drug testing can detect drug use that occurred months ago. Urine drug testing identifies drug use from several days or even weeks prior. Saliva drug testing detects drugs used up to 48 hours before testing. Fingerprint drug testing is designed to identify more recent drug use.
Fingerprint Drug Testing focuses on detecting recent drug use within a 16 to 24-hour window. By using sweat as a sample, employers can conduct drug testing focused on ‘fitness for duty’ at the time of testing, rather than lifestyle monitoring.
A Platform Technology
This versatile platform technology has the capability to meet a comprehensive range of drug testing needs in response to emerging trends.
The potential of sweat-based diagnostics extends well beyond drug detection. The system’s unique approach to sweat analysis opens up possibilities in areas such as health and wellbeing, fertility and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Interested in partnering with us? We welcome enquiries about innovative joint projects.
Manufacturing & Quality
The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening Cartridge is manufactured in-house by our team in Cambridge. The team leverages lean manufacturing technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
Our manufacturing process integrates industry-standard diagnostic instruments with bespoke solutions, accelerating the transition toward automation.
By investing in high-throughput reel-to-reel production and other advanced automated systems, we streamline the printing, laminating, and packaging of sample collection Cartridges.
These technologies support lean principles, ensuring precision, consistency, and continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations.
