lancet
A lancet (derived from “ lance ” or the French diminutive “lancette”) is a medical product that is used to quickly obtain a capillary blood sample . In some cases, there are also models that are used for vaccination purposes. Lancets are basically single-use items and are disposed of immediately after use. The blade is covered with a small cap to rule out any later injury.
Technical structure and process of blood collection
The single or double-edged steel blade of a lancet is only a few millimeters long and usually merges into a thick plastic handle, which makes it possible to hold this instrument safely with the fingertips. Needles are also often referred to as lancets. In lancing devices , the lancet is pushed forward by means of a spring mechanism. To take blood , the very thinly ground needle, which can be used once, is inserted into the fingertip or the earlobe (in newborns in the heel) in a fraction of a second and pulled out again immediately. The short blade is sufficient to penetrate the horny layer of the skin and puncture a capillary vessel . Some designs can also be used on the forearm. The almost painless puncture of the skin makes it possible to collect small amounts of capillary blood for analysis purposes. In order to keep the puncture site as small as possible, the lancing devices available today are equipped with a lancing depth regulator.
Areas of application
Modern lancing devices are used today in many clinical and private areas, e.g. B. in blood collection for the determination of:
- Blood sugar ,
- Quick or INR values for blood coagulation,
- Total cholesterol ,
- HbA 1c ,
- HDL and LDL .
- Newborn screening
Model variants
Various models have been developed to increase the ease of use and to reduce the pain stimuli during the puncture, such as:
- simple models with an exchangeable lancet and puncture depth regulation from different manufacturers of measuring devices,
- Models in which a drum with six lancets is used, which means that frequent changes are no longer necessary
- Electronic lancing device with 50 lancets on a plastic disc for permanent use in the private sector.
