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New Sampling Device Promises To Make Blood Tests Needle-Free

Posted by timothy on from the dracula's-little-friend dept.

Zothecula writes: Though the pain they cause is minor and fleeting, a lot of people still find something pretty unsettling about needles. When it comes to conducting a routine blood test, US-based company Tasso Inc. believes that these unpleasant pricks can be removed from the equation completely. Its ping pong ball-sized HemoLink blood sampler can be operated by the patient at home, and needs only to be placed against the skin of the arm or abdomen for two minutes to do its job.

10 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. Old Idea by cheesybagel · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are plenty of devices which draw blood or fluids via suction. One example is the GlucoWatch:
    http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevi...

    The problem with these devices is that they often cause skin lesions, bruising, and pain. I would rather stick with the needles.

    1. Re:Old Idea by Anubis+IV · · Score: 3, Informative

      In the case of GlucoWatch, the page you linked indicates that it's used for up to 13 hours at a time, taking samples every 10 minutes. In contrast, this device can only do one sample at a time, after which you send it off to a lab for testing. They're targeting patients who may need to monitor cancer or infection on an infrequent basis with a turnaround of a few days, as opposed to people who need immediate blood measurements, such as diabetics monitoring their blood sugar levels.

      I don't know enough to suggest that that addresses your concern, but at the very least it would seem to lessen the chances that the problems associated with long-term use would occur.

    2. Re:Old Idea by lisaparratt · · Score: 2

      People actually use them medicinally? I always assumed it was BDSM masquerading under semi-legitimacy.

    3. Re:Old Idea by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Funny

      Google images of "Chinese cupping". Now you know. Yes, it's work-safe.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    4. Re:Old Idea by TheCarp · · Score: 2

      You know its always a little of collumn A and a little of collumn B with such things. I am certain some people think they are using them medicinally, and there are always going to be a few people out there claiming the treatment they offer is medicinal and "removes toxins" (I still find it odd there are people who don't realize the word "toxin" is a red flag in most contexts)

      OTOH I know people who have played with this from more the BDSM side, they definitely exist but, don't tend to feel much need to pretend its medical...tho maybe some use that excuse around people who they feel would react better to thinking they are stupid than know what they do in their bedroom. Again....a little A, a little B.....

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
  2. Unpleasant pricks? by amalcolm · · Score: 2

    I know lots of those :(

    --
    Time for bed, said Zebedee - boing
  3. speak for yourself by HBI · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The whole design of blood testers for glucose militates using them on the hands or fingers. After thousands of sticks, it hurts worse. I already have to give myself 5 needles a day for insulin in places with adipose fat layers, like the lower arm, top of thigh or my belly. Doing 5 more sticks for tests is just ...bullshit. I won't do it. Maybe once a day, if that. Give me a technology that makes it less painful and i'll use it. If I can use it on an area of my body that doesn't usually get stuck (ass cheek? side of thigh? Anywhere where there is muscle behind the skin?) the pain level will be less.

    --
    HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
    1. Re:speak for yourself by jez9999 · · Score: 2

      Give me a technology that makes it less painful and i'll use it. If I can use it on an area of my body that doesn't usually get stuck (ass cheek? side of thigh? Anywhere where there is muscle behind the skin?) the pain level will be less.

      Sounds like it'd be a pain in the ass.

      --
      == Jez ==
      Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
  4. Re:Garbage for diabetics by HBI · · Score: 2

    You have to squeeze to get enough blood out if the capillaries aren't cooperating. Hard to do if it isn't a finger. Also makes a mess. Hands are easier to wash. I have enough wrecked dress shirts to know the danger.

    --
    HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
  5. This could change clinics as we know them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In many clincs there's staff who only draw blood - sure they may have to interact with a computer to see what amount of blood is required and how to store it [depening on the number and types of testing required] but the main role they have is to draw blood. They're phlebotomists and they've been trained to do it properly, to make sure the patient doesn't even feel discomfort, let alone any pain [if you feel more than a slight prick or get any bruising then you should consider getting treatment elsewhere].

    But if there is a safe way for patients to do it at home, without the need of medical staff or buildings, then the need for phlebotomists will have largely gone. Imagine being given a box with a dozen of these devices and told to draw your blood and send it off once a month, it's going to be far cheaper than having it done at a clinic.