Nobody enjoys getting their blood drawn. It might be painless and quick for some but there are times that waiting in lines can take hours along with rare instances where the nurse drawing blood has to poke several times before finding a vein to draw from. If the latter has ever happened to you then fear no more.
The Tasso company in the United States has developed a device known as HemoLink that is designed to make some blood tests easier and more convenient by collecting blood without a standard needle draw from a vein. Availability and regulatory clearance vary by country and by test, so patients should check with their doctor or laboratory. The ice cube sized device allows
The device does not need a needle placed into a vein. It is placed against the skin, where a tiny lancet makes a small puncture and a vacuum draws blood from small capillaries. The Hemolink device is disposable and is made up of only six molded parts made of plastic which will also simplify the manufacturing process while cuttings costs. The device is designed to collect a small amount of blood, about 0.15 cubic cm, which can be enough for some lab tests, such as blood sugar, cholesterol and certain infection markers, depending on what the laboratory has validated.
Current blood tests are also cumbersome as they need to be stored at specific temperatures in a process known as “cold-chain.” This means that each step of the blood sampling must also be regulated to ensure the blood samples all stay at the same temperature to allow for correct results.
The device is designed to let blood samples travel to a lab without refrigeration, although how long a sample stays usable depends on the test and the laboratory’s instructions. This user-friendly device will enable almost anyone to take and send blood samples in to a lab for analysis without the need of dry ice rush-deliveries.
The most likely users will be people who need to test semi-frequently to monitor active cancers,Autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis, Diabetes 2, or vascular conditions like heart disease. The low cost device may reduce the need for expensive machines and additional staff, as the collection is minimally invasive and can be performed in the comfort of the home environment.