The Marker-System
The Ruma Marker-System offers maximum safety and protection against manipulation attempts in urine testing.
Manipulation attempts in urine testing are a common problem. There are numerous ways to try and achieve a false-negative result.
The Ruma Marker-System addresses this problem and ensures that the urine sample to be tested originates from the right person and is available in the appropriate quality.
The practical application is simple and can be integrated easily into the existing routines. The key to our success lies in our quality controlled pre-analytical procedures and precise laboratory analysis in accordance with state-of-the-art science and technology.
Ruma Marker-System products
The Ruma Marker-System is not a static product. It develops based on new insights gained during practical application and the current state of scientific knowledge. Hence, in addition to the classic liquid markers, the marker capsule as well as other security aspects is now available. The marker capsule can be complemented using Ruma Digital-System.
Ruma® Digital-System
Location independent urine screening. With-out an appointment - any time!
Ruma® Classic
The reliable alternative to conventional direct observation!
Fields of application
The Ruma Marker-System ensures the identity and quality of the tested urine sample. Two aspects, which are of great importance for many areas of application.
For example, the Ruma Marker System is used in:
Clinical application of the urine marker solution
The application of the Ruma® Marker-System using the example of the liquid marker Ruma® Classic
The Ruma Markers we use are polyethylene glycols – also called macrogols – which only pass through the body due to their specific properties and are excreted unchanged through the urinary bladder. We use this complete lack of effect to mark the patient's urine sample without any risk or possible interaction with other substances and thus to prove the identity of the urine donor.
At present, we use 6 different marker substances that present very distinct analytical results. As neither the patient nor the physician are aware which marker is administered in any given situation, the swapping of already marked urine samples is also easily detectable.
Under normal circumstances the marker requires 30 minutes to reach the bladder naturally. In rare cases, 1:250,000, a slightly longer waiting period is required for delayed urination.
Mix the marker substance with a beverage sweetened with regular household sugar and have the patient drink the mix right in front of you. The patient can collect the sample on their own after at least 40 minutes.
The collected urine sample is then prepared for transport to one of our authorized partner labs. You will receive the results through electronic communication or by fax.
We developed the capsule as an alternative administration form for the well-known Ruma® marker substances. In addtion to the established PEGs it containes the colorant Brilliant Blue. If the capsule remains in the mouth too long, e.g. for the purpose of manipulation, it dissolves and releases the dye: the mouth cavity turns blue. This makes oral cavity checking much easier and there's no need to add sugar as is done with the liquid markers.
The analysis of the Ruma markers.
The Marker Analysis determines whether the urine sample contains the administered marker and whether it is present in sufficient quantity. Complete absence of the marker is an indication of sample substitution. Very little marke volume suggests dilution. This applies to dilution with “clean” urine as well. The Ruma Marker-System is more than just the search for the administered marker. We use 4 pillars to test the urine samples for manipulation from all perspectives:
Marker analysis, Creatinine analysis, Glucose analysis, Sample integrity analysis
(Test for oxidants/sample check, synthetic urine)
Why urine?
Urine samples are often subject to various manipulation attempts. This is a well-known and often bemoaned problem.
That's why scientific research has been looking for quite some time for an alternative that might be less susceptible to such manipulations. Below we would like to show why urine is still the matrix of choice by investigating two such alternatives.
Much more pressing in the current situation, however, is the question how the risk of infection during collection of urine samples can be minimized.
Numerous addiction treatment facilities are already closed, and it has become a challenge to ensure health care for patients in MAT. Because addiction patients face an extreme risk due to comorbidities.
In order to alleviate the pressure treatment facilities are facing, take home is used as an alternative. This is where the app package Ruma® Digital System and Ruma® Digital System Pro can help to keep communication between doctor and patient in tact. It allows location independent urine testing and reduces the number of necessary visits to the medical office.