Lassete
(Producer : Cell Robotics Inc. )
( A device for obtaining capillary blood without the
need for lancets/needles )
(For a bigger picture, click on the image)
Principles
of Operation :
(Note
: The following article has been reproduced with permission from the Cell
Robotics website. We at Kemates.com view some of these claims (e.g.
"many" people reporting less pain with the lassete) with skepticism.
The
Cell Robotics Lasette is based
upon the use of a single pulse of laser light
which ablates a tiny hole through the upper
layers of the skin. This exposes the capillary
blood vessels so that a blood sample can be
taken and used with conventional analysis
equipment. The use of laser light, as
opposed to stainless steel, reduces tissue
trauma and eliminates medical sharps as a
potential source of cross contamination.
Many
patients report feeling less pain
resulting from use of the Lasette as compared
to traditional lancet devices.
Laser
skin ablation, employing much
greater exposures to laser light, has been used
in surgical procedures for several years. The
laser energy used by the Lasette has unique
properties that produces a small hole
without heating collateral tissue or
cauterizing the delicate capillary vessels.
The Lasette features adjustable energy
settings which are used to compensate for
the different thicknesses of human skin.
Higher settings may be used for patients
with heavy callouses. Lower settings may be
used for patients with thin or tender skin.
The
pulse of laser light produced by the
Lasette vaporizes skin tissue in less than half
a millisecond. The blood and skin which are
not in the laser beam path are not affected by
the laser energy.
The Lasette beam produces a neat,
tiny perforation, with about the same
diameter as the smallest conventional lancet
shafts. By applying a slight pressure, blood
is pushed into the wound and out onto the
surface of the skin.
Conventional
lancets requires the
insertion of a stainless steel blade or needle
beneath the skin surface. Dead and dying
skin tissue left within a lancet wound can
cause local inflammation which may result in
persistent
residual pain.
Cost
:
By
this time you are probably enamored enough by this product to think seriously
about buying it. Take out your wallets/ checkbooks / credit cards and be
prepared to pay :
|
Product
|
Cost
(in US dollars)
|
Cost
(in Indian rupees)
|
|
Lassete for personal Use
|
$ 995
|
Rs. 46, 675 (haha)
|
Links:
www.cellrobotics.com
: The website of the manufacturers of the Lassete. Visit this site
for more information regarding the product.
www.nappsi.org
: The website of the "National Alliance for
Prevention os Sharp Injuries" . Although it is mainly a business oriented
site, be sure to see the "Featured technologies" section at the
site.
www.cdc.gov/nip/dev/jetinject.htm
: This comprehensive site provides information regarding other
needle free technologies (eg. safer IV sets and vaccination instruments).
