UK-based Intelligent Fingerprinting has signed a three-year deal with UK medical device manufacturing specialist Europlaz to produce critical components for the innovative cartridge element of Intelligent Fingerprinting’s innovative Drug Screening System.

The two-part Drug Screening System works by analysing fingerprint sweat on a single use collection cartridge. Sample collection, with the help of purpose-developed, single-use, tamper-evident cartridges takes a few seconds. Lateral flow assay technology and fluorescence-labelled antibodies selectively detect specific drugs or their metabolites in sweat collected from a single fingerprint. The system allows four main drug groups – cocaine, opiates, cannabis and amphetamines – all to be screened for simultaneously.

The portable Intelligent Fingerprinting Reader 1000 analysis unit is then used to read the cartridge.

The new fingerprint drug test – which has been fully trialled and is now available to order – has applications across a variety of screening scenarios, including drug rehabilitation programmes, workplace applications, criminal justice and for use by coroners. The device’s performance is highly dependent on two specialised features, its anti-tamper sliding cover which protects the fingerprint from contamination after collection and the sealed reagent release mechanism.

Europlaz worked closely with Intelligent Fingerprinting on the manufacturing development of the cartridge for drug screening. The process included precision moulding to create a ‘living hinge’ that supports the cartridge’s buffer clip, as well as a number of secure features for the cartridge’s sliding cover.

Following the full validation and commercial introduction of the system, the next step for the two companies is to scale up cartridge production. Scale up will be a collective effort, as Europlaz CEO Eddie O’ Keefe said, “to ensure we meet the price points needed for what will quickly become a globalised product.”