New developments in technology and manufacturing techniques have brought a new level of sophistication among lancets. The consumer now has more questions than ever about choosing the right lancet. In light of this, DIABETES HEALTH has compiled a comprehensive look at the lancets currently on the market, and their differences.
While insuring safe and effective performance is the main objective of lancet designers, reducing pain and wound size have become important considerations and are the reasons behind the multitude of different types of lancets. The difficulty lies in attempting to reduce the severity of the wound, and pain, caused by the lancet while still supplying sufficient blood for a glucose test. Although there are differing views surrounding the best approach to these problems, all agree there are four main factors involved: lancet gauge (diameter), speed of action, depth of penetration, and the angle of the lancet point.
One way to make a lancet less damaging and painful is to reduce the size of the gauge of the lancet, which is a measure of its diameter (the width of the wire that makes up the lancet). Like insulin syringes, the higher the number of the gauge, the thinner it is. The speed of action refers to the entrance speed, exit speed, and dwell time of the needle in the finger, and is more a function of the lancet device than the lancet. Depth of penetration is also determined primarily by the lancet device, although the length of exposed needle (which varies slightly between different manufacturers and products) plays a small part. The angle of the cut used to make the point affects the lancet’s sharpness. The smaller the angle of the cut, the sharper the lancet is.
Comments
Post a Comment