Revolutionizing Blood Sampling: Innovative Device Offers Pain-Free and Accessible Solution

Tori Whitacre Martonicz wrote . . . . . . . . .

Many patients fear needles, which can cause many issues for health care workers trying to help them. With this in mind, Nicole Zoratto, PhD, lead author on the paper; David Klein Cerrejon, doctoral student, D-CHAB, both researchers for Drug Formation & Delivery at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, have developed a new, cost-effective medical device inspired by leeches’ blood-sucking mechanism.

This device is designed to help individuals with needle phobia and to provide assistance in low-income regions. It uses microneedles and a suction cup instead of traditional large needles for blood sampling.

By drawing inspiration from leeches, which attach to hosts and extract blood efficiently through hypobaric pressure, the team has created a system that simplifies blood collection. Unlike conventional methods, this device can be used at home with minimal training, offering a less painful and invasive alternative.

This approach is particularly valuable for children, reducing anxiety and risk of needlestick injuries. Additionally, its design ensures higher blood volume collection than fingerstick methods, improving the reliability of diagnostic tests. This technology holds significant potential for enhancing health care access and disease management in resource-limited settings, especially in the fight against tropical diseases like malaria.

Source : Infection Control