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Google Proposes 'Needle-less' System For Drawing Blood (thestack.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Google has published a patent for a needle-free blood draw technology which could be incorporated into a wrist wearable or hand-held device. The patent filing explained that the system releases a pulse of gas into a barrel or 'hollow cylinder', containing a 'micro-particle' which can break through the skin and draw a small sample of blood. According to Google, once the drop of blood forms it is drawn up into the negative pressure barrel. This technique is a quicker and less invasive alternative to using needles, or other blood measures which administer pin pricks to the finger to release the blood. The patent, which is still pending, suggests that the mechanism could also provide a replacement for glucose testers used by diabetics.
As a diabetic I have to say this sounds pretty cool. Pricking fingers 3-4 times per day sucks. I would be happier if they found a way to restore insulin production to my pancreas, but I'll take what i can get.
Still if it is a more convenient way for diabetics to get results, kudos. But if it is Google trying to compete with Theranos in the "we're going to measure 100+ different analytes from a teensy drop of blood drawn from a skin prick" market, they should probably confirm which analytes can be measured reproducibly in skin prick samples BEFORE announcing that they are measuring them. Theranos seems to be getting quite a comeuppance for not realizing that blood from a skin prick != venous blood.