In Switzerland, scientists at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Ethz) have taken inspiration from leeches to create a new medical device capable of taking blood samples quickly. Without a needle.
This innovation is eagerly awaited by people who suffer from aichmophobia, i.e. phobia and extreme fear of needles.
Measuring 2 centimeters - roughly the size of a coin - the leech-like device consists of a silicone suction cup and internal stainless steel micro-needles. To collect the blood, all you have to do is press it on the desired spot, which makes the device a very simple and safe method of collection.
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Although the first version of the device is functional, as the article published in Advanced Science points out, the scientists' idea is to make the product more sustainable by using biodegradable materials. This should be tried out soon.
To feed, the leeches "attach themselves to the host via a suction cup", as David Klein, a professor at the institute and one of the authors of the research, explains in a statement. After the attachment stage, they penetrate the host's skin with their teeth. They then suck out the blood, creating negative pressure in compression and decompression movements.
This is the concept behind the new device, designed to be attached to the patient's arm or back during blood collection for medical purposes, such as a rapid test or blood count.
However, the technology does not yet allow as much blood to be collected as would be possible with a conventional needle. Something that also needs to be perfected before it reaches the market.
While it's still not as effective as needles in terms of blood volume, the leech device is already safer. As the micro-needles are "hidden" inside the suction cups, the risk of accidents during application and after disposal is much lower.
Fabio Bergamin
"The proposed platform holds significant promise for improving healthcare in the pediatric population by improving patient compliance and reducing the risk of needlestick injuries," the authors describe in the article.
It's worth remembering that Ethz scientists have developed a device inspired by the suction cups of octopus tentacles for delivering medication to the inside of the cheek. In this case, injections and needles were also left out.
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