Inspired by leeches, scientists have developed a new device that will facilitate the collection of blood in humans.
Publika.az foreign media reports that the device developed by scientists of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is placed on the patient’s upper arm or back.
The suction cup-shaped container contains micro-needles that penetrate the skin when slight pressure is applied from the outside. Thus, the device literally fills the vessel with blood from the veins in a short period of time. The study, published in the journal “Advanced Science”, emphasized that the price of the device is very cheap, so it can be used effectively in poor African countries fighting diseases such as malaria. In addition, the microneedles inside the container minimize the risk of injury compared to the large needles used in blood collection.
The scientists said they actually designed the device based on another study. While developing a suction cup that carries some drugs into the blood through the mucous membrane that covers the inside of the mouth, they also stated that they understood that such a device could be used in blood collection procedures. The outer part of the 2.5-centimeter container is made of silicone, and the micro-needles are made of steel. However, in the future, the researchers aim to produce it entirely from reusable materials.
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