Taking blood from a finger to analyze its composition is one of the most widely used diagnostic procedures that allows identifying various diseases at an early stage of development. To perform this, special devices, scarifiers, were previously used. One of their inherent disadvantages is the occurrence of painful sensations when the skin is pierced by the needle of the device. Today they have been replaced by more modern and convenient accessories - lancets. With their help, blood sampling is absolutely painless; the main thing is to know how to use it correctly.
What are lancets
This device is called a needle for a glucometer (a portable device that shows the concentration of dextrose in the blood). This small device has an ultra-thin needle that provides a painless injection.
After using the lancet, the wound heals quickly, leaving no scars.
The device is convenient for everyday use. Harmful microorganisms, particles of dust and dirt do not get on the needle, since it is protected by a cap.
The use of scarifying needles is gradually fading into the background. After all, with their help it is not always possible to accurately calculate the applied force so as not to make too large a cut.
With a lancet you can avoid such incidents. You don't need to make any effort to make a puncture.
The needles are made of good materials and treated with gamma radiation, which ensures the sterility of the product.
The procedure using a needle lasts 2–3 seconds. The adult and the child will not even have time to understand what happened.
Advantages
When using a conventional scarifier, the laboratory assistant often has to re-puncture because the blood does not flow well. With low hemoglobin and on an empty stomach, taking blood from a child is even more difficult. The thing is that manipulating a traditional pen requires experience and skill.
Advantages of a lancet over a conventional scarifier:
- The child does not see the needle, so he will not be nervous before the procedure and will not strain his arm.
- Blood sampling occurs quickly and practically painlessly; no bruises are left, because the strength and accuracy of the puncture does not depend on the laboratory assistant.
- A triangular needle allows you to take a lot of blood with a minimal wound diameter.
- The sterility of the instrument is guaranteed by a disposable needle, before placement into which they are treated with gamma rays;
- The Lancet is easy to use at home to monitor your glucose levels using a glucometer.
It is very convenient to have 4-5 disposable devices in stock at once.
Kinds
The device is used only for one-time drawing of blood from a finger. However, there are also reusable devices. They will need to be sterilized after each use. The latter are cheaper, although the accessory for the glucometer itself is more expensive than a disposable one.
There are three types:
- Automatic. This type of scarifier allows you to take a little blood. The puncture is very small. This should be taken into account when choosing a device for collecting it. The needle comes out automatically when it touches your finger. Then it is retracted back into the body.
- Universal. These are disposable devices. Helps you get correct test results. A puncture is made up to 1.8 mm. Universal devices are suitable for any glucometer and cause minimal damage to the skin.
- Pen. Used repeatedly to collect biological fluid to check the concentration of glucose in the blood. The needles are disposable, made of high-quality surgical metal.
There is also a classification based on needle length. The diameter is selected depending on the thickness of the skin and the purposes for which the device will be used.
Features of recycling
All consumables for injection procedures and sampling of biomaterials, including capillary blood, must be disposed of after use. In particular, the reuse of disposable lancets in most cases is impossible due to the design features: after performing a puncture and taking a sample, the needle is automatically hidden inside the body and blocked there. This is done in order to prevent the spread of infection. At home, when using universal lancets together with a glucometer, usually only the needles are changed, which are also a source of danger. They should not be thrown into the bin with normal household waste.
In medical institutions, all consumables that were used for collecting and conducting blood tests, syringes and other accessories after use are placed in special tanks for class B medical waste. Before disposal, they are disinfected under high temperature, chemicals or other means. Only after they become safe for people and the environment are they destroyed.
Disposable lancets
Modern devices for collecting blood greatly facilitate the procedure. A sterile needle quickly penetrates the skin without causing discomfort or pain. This is a real godsend if you need to donate blood to an infant.
How to use the lancet - step by step guide:
- Remove the protective cap. If it is damaged or poorly secured, the device cannot be used, there is a risk of infection. Such a device is not considered sterile or safe.
- Lubricate the side surface of the fingertip with a disinfectant solution and wait 30–60 seconds until it dries. You cannot carry out the procedure if your hands are dirty or wet, the result will be distorted.
- Press the lancet with the hole to the puncture site. Don't press. Holding firmly, press the needle release button.
Discard the disposable device.
If a person wants to reuse a needle, he will not be able to do so. After the first use, the blade automatically locks. Therefore, the device is disposed of immediately.
Rules for collecting blood from a finger
This manipulation does not require special skills, however, there are a number of recommendations and nuances, the sequence of which must be followed.
Key points when using disposable lancets:
- Before the procedure, you must wash your hands with warm water and soap.
- Immediately before the puncture, the protective cap is removed from the handle.
- By lightly pressing, the holder for the lancet needle is cocked until it stops.
- Remove the protective cap from the lancet.
- Adjust the depth of the intended puncture (initially it is recommended to select the second level).
- The start button is pressed when the handle touches the surface of the skin.
- After this, the cap is removed from the device and the used scarifier is disposed of.
How to use the lancing pen (Accu-Chek Softclix):
Using the Lancing Handle
How often to change lancets
Automatic or universal needles for obtaining blood from a finger can only be used 1 time. This is indicated in all instructions for the glucometer. Therefore, they will have to be changed frequently, depending on how many times a day you need to measure your glucose levels.
Some patients use universal lancets more than one day to save money. You can't do that. The patient runs the risk of infection in the blood. In addition, the blade becomes dull after each use. This increases pain and injures the skin.
It is permissible to use the same lancet if it is necessary to take blood several times a day. Cannot be used the next day.
It is better to change the needle every time you give an injection to avoid infections and inflammatory processes at the puncture site.
Description of the glucometer
The pharmaceutical market is replete with a variety of glucometers. The TC Contour is a compact and easy-to-use sugar content meter. German quality guarantees the accuracy of the research results.
Advantages of Kontur - TS:
- high accuracy of results;
- the device does not require coding before starting work;
- A small amount of blood is suitable for analysis;
- the body of the glucometer is covered with a shock-proof compound;
- the device has a built-in memory function;
- During the analysis, the patient receives information about the ratio of blood cells.
The Kontur-TS glucose meter is sold as a complete set. It includes:
- storage case;
- glucometer;
- piercing pen;
- sterile lancets;
- power unit;
- warranty documents and instructions.
Glucometer Kontur-TS is a device for self-monitoring. It has proven itself to be a reliable and accurate meter.
Prices
You can buy lancets for a glucometer at a pharmacy or online store. In the latter they will be cheaper.
The cost of lancets may vary slightly between pharmacies.
How much do the devices cost in rubles:
- Aychek 4 – 300,
- ACCU CHECK SOFT CLIX – 490,
- Baer Microlet 2 - 490,
- Satellite - 200,
- Tai Dok - 300,
- Wellion 28G - 280,
- Ultra Soft No. 25 - 342,
- On-Call Plus - 273.
Methodology
The reliability of the obtained result is influenced, first of all, by ensuring compliance with the rule of taking blood from a finger from children and adults (capillary blood). In order to minimize inaccuracies in the results, the influence of external factors on the body should be excluded. Blood is donated on an empty stomach in the morning, when the patient has not yet eaten anything (it is advisable that the last meal be 8-10 hours before the test), has not taken any medications, and also before other diagnostic procedures and physical activity.
Capillary blood collection technique
Also, the correctness of the result depends on the accuracy of following the algorithm for taking blood from a finger:
Respecting the patient's right to information, inform him about the progress of the subsequent procedure, obtain the patient's consent for it. Prepare the necessary equipment for examining blood from a finger on the hand (cotton balls - dry and moistened with 70% ethyl alcohol solution, sterile disposable scarifiers - spears or sterile needles, labeled sterile disposable pipettes, clean slide (watch) glasses or, instead, clean plastic tablets, labeled clean test tubes with an anticoagulant, a container with a disinfectant solution for soaking waste material). Carry out hygienic and antiseptic treatment of hands, wear clean gloves. Treat the ring finger of your left hand with a sterile cotton ball moistened with a 70% solution of ethyl alcohol. Using a sterile scarifier or a sterile needle, make a puncture 2–3 mm deep (if the puncture is deeper, it will be more difficult to stop the bleeding). Wipe off the first drop of blood that appears with a sterile dry cotton swab. The next few drops of blood (at least 3 - 4) are dropped by gravity onto an individual glass slide (pressing on your finger to obtain blood is prohibited, since the blood is mixed with tissue fluid, and the analysis results may be distorted). Using a disposable sterile pipette, take 6–8 drops of blood, then carefully move it into a labeled tube with an anticoagulant. Blood can be drained into a test tube by gravity. Using the test tube in a circular motion (at least 10 times), thoroughly mix the collected blood with the reagent. Press a sterile cotton ball moistened with a 70% ethyl alcohol solution to the finger at the puncture site and advise the patient to hold it until the bleeding stops completely. Move the marked glass slide containing biological blood samples to a special table for analysis, and place the marked test tube in a special rack. To maintain infection safety, soak all used consumables in a container with a disinfectant solution.
Review of popular models
The most popular and in demand models on the market are Microlet, Accu Chek, Medlans Plus, Prolans, Droplet and Van Touch scarifiers.
Microflight
Microlet lancets are suitable for most models of glucometers. They are used for Bayer Microlet, Van Touch UltraSoft, Satellite Express and Plus
There is a protective cap on each device, the needle diameter is ultra-thin. There are 200 pieces in one package, enough for long-term use.
Microlet are disposable and universal needles that are reliable and easy to use.
Akku Check
The Swiss manufacturer produces test strips and lancets. The products are certified and approved for sale in Russian pharmacies and centers for diabetics.
Scarifiers are sold in 25, 100 and 200 pieces. Needle diameter - 0.36 mm.
Made from high quality surgical steel. They are laser sharpened. The base is covered with dense silicone, which makes the puncture painless.
Medlans Plus
This device is actively used for taking blood for analysis at home and in laboratories. Sold with puncture depths of 1.5, 2, 1.8 and 2.4 mm. Medlans Plus are safe and easy to transport.
The design provides for one-time use, then the blade is disposed of. The housing protects the needle so that it does not cause any damage.
Automatic devices are distinguished by color coding, which depends on the diameter of the needle and the depth of the puncture.
Prolance
The scarifier has a double spring mechanism that provides high puncture speed. They vary by color coding. Manufacturer Prolance - Poland.
The pink one has a puncture depth of 0.12 cm and a blade width of 0.15 cm. This device is called pediatric and is more often used for taking blood from children.
Purple has a depth of 0.16 cm and a needle width of 0.15 cm. Yellow has a depth of 0.18 cm and 18 G. Green has a depth of 0.18 cm and a blade of 21 G. Blue has a needle width of 0.14 cm and 25 G. Blue - 0.16 cm and 28 G.
Also, when choosing, you should take into account what kind of blood flow the patient has.
The lancets have an ergonomic design; the blade is automatically retracted after puncturing the finger; it is initially sterilized and covered with a special cap that prevents bacteria from getting onto the tip.
Droplet
Fits most finger piercing pens. The scarifier is sold in a package of 10 pcs.
Droplets are hygienic, practical, versatile and safe. The scarifier painlessly extracts a small amount of blood due to its thinness.
The tip of the blade is triangular and has a sliding coating. It cannot be reused because after the first use, jagged edges appear on the tip.
The Droplet cannot be used with the Accu-Chek Lancing Pen.
Van Touch
Developed by Americans for use with One Touch devices. Due to its versatility, Van Touch can be used for other lancing devices. For example, Microlet, Satellite Plus or Express.
Sold in packs of 25 pieces. The point has a cross-section of 28 G. The needles are disposable and not intended for reuse.
Lancets are an excellent device, indispensable for patients with diabetes who need to frequently check their glucose levels and for young children who are afraid of injections.
Scarifiers are considered absolutely harmless because they allow blood to be taken without unnecessary damage.
L oading. . .
Models and specifications
Universal lancets are most adapted for use for most modifications of the glucometer. For example, for Accu-Chek, Satellite Express. Universal lancets can have the function of adjusting the depth of finger puncture when drawing blood. It's convenient for children. For safety reasons, some models, for example, lancets for Accu-Chek Active glucometers, include a special protective cap. The advantage of this type is that the needles can be reused
This is convenient and economical, but it is necessary to pay special attention to safety, thoroughly disinfecting the elements with antiseptics
For example, the Accu-Chek Active model has the following advantages:
- compact dimensions;
- battery operated;
- the model is easy and simple to use (the device is equipped with two buttons);
- LCD display with language selection;
- automatic on/off, which saves battery power;
- blood sampling without pain;
- affordable price of both the Accu-Chek device and consumables.
Functionality of the Accu-Chek Active model. The device can be synchronized with a computer, which allows you to track measurement statistics. Other features include:
- the ability to save measurement results in the glucometer’s memory (up to 350 operations);
- recording the date and time of blood sampling (allows you to track the dynamics of changes in biochemical blood parameters);
- Accu-Chek Active displays measurement results 5 seconds after refilling the strip;
- high accuracy of indicators (the difference between the results of laboratory tests and the Accu-Chek Active values does not exceed 5%);
- affordable price with high quality work.
Ease of operation is important. The analysis results are displayed in large numbers on the LCD display
