difference between different kinds of blood lancet

difference between different kinds of blood lancet

What Is A Lancet?

Lancets are small plastic cylinders that contain a sterile steel needle held within a lancing device. The lancet needle is used to poke a small hole in the skin of a finger for a blood sample to check blood glucose levels. Lancets are most commonly used by people with diabetes. 

Different Type Of Lancing Devices

There are hundreds of different brands of lancet, but generally it can be divided into two: Twist Blood Lancets and Pressure Activated Safety Lancet.

What is a Twist Blood Lancet?

Twist Blood Lancets are what we commonly think of when we hear the term “Lancet”.  Other common names are “pokers”, “needles”, or “lancers”. Quite simply, they are a molded piece of plastic with a round cap. Underneath the round cap is a sharp needle.  To expose the needle, simply twist off the round plastic cap.

The lancet needle is used to poke a small hole in the skin of a finger for a blood sample to check blood glucose levels. This lancets are most commonly used by people with Type 2 diabetes. 

How it works

A traditional diabetes lancet can be used entirely on its own by simply jabbing the needle into your finger just enough to get a blood drop, but doing so can be quite painful.  Therefore, the overwhelming majority of people prefer to use lancets in conjunction with a “lancing device” or a “lancer”.

A new lancet should be used for each finger prick for a clean lancet. Do not reuse the same lancet because it can become dull and may cause more pain and bleeding. The lancet needle is very tiny and thin making it prone to bending after one use. 

How To Use a Lancet Device

● Open the cap of the lancing device.

● Load in the unused lancet.

● Twist off the round cap to expose the needle.

● Recap the lancing device.

● Adjust the depth setting – this will specify the puncture depth into your skin.

● Cock the device.

● Place the lancing device on your finger.

● Click the button to fire the lancet.

● Gently squeeze fingertip to produce adequate blood sample.  Then follow glucose meter instructions to test your blood sugar.

● After use, remove the lancing device cap again.

● Recap the lancet with the round cap.

● Carefully remove the used lancet from the lancing device and discard the used lancet.

Compatibility

Most traditional lancets are generic in design and therefore are compatible with a wide variety of lancing devices.  But some brands of lancets are only compatible with their own lancing device. A few examples of the latter are: Softclix lancets, Multiclix, etc.

Practically all regular lancets are compatible with any type of glucose meter.

Not Are All Lancets Are Universal To All Lancet DevicesSome lancets are universal, but not all of them. Rounded in shape are common, while others are square shapes. Your lancet fit must into your lancet device. Some lancets are single-use while others come in groups called Multiclix.

Features to Check When Selecting a Lancet Device

You should look for lancets and devices with small needle gauge sizes and those that allow for easy and safe disposal. Self-contained units are the safest. They come is different colors and sizes.

The first lancets made were 23 and 25 gauge. Today, the most commonly used lancets are sizes 28 or higher.

The higher the gauge number, the small, thinner the needle. A higher gauge (smaller diameter) will result in less pain but may not penetrate thick skin.

Pressure Activated Safety Lancet

The other option which is commonly not mentioned in meetings with your diabetes educator, is Pressure Activated Safety Lancet, or safety lancet.  the Pressure Activated Safety Lancet is a hospital-grade product which has historically only been provided in hospitals but is now available to anyone.

What is the Pressure Activated Safety Lancet?

The Pressure Activated Safety Lancet is a single-use, 2-in-1 device that eliminate 80% of the steps associated with traditional lancets, provide for safer disposal, and typically eliminate the pain and anxiety associated with regular lancets.

Safety Lancet a body, with a twist off cap, and a pre-loaded – but never exposed – retractable needle on the interior of the device.  

How Pressure Activated Safety Lancet Work

While traditional diabetic lancets require the use of an additional “lancing device”, Safety Lancets are 2-in-1.  So there is no additional device needed to draw blood.

The steps to use Safety lancet are as follows:

Twist off the white cap

Apply pressure to the fingertip to activate the needle

Gently squeeze fingertip to produce sufficient blood sample. Then  follow glucose meter instructions to test your blood sugar.

Discard of used lancet – after use the needle is not exposed, but we still recommend a sharps container or plastic container for good measure.

Compatibility

Like regular diabetes lancets, Safety Lancets are compatible with ALL glucose meters. 

Because the device is all-in-one, the user need not worry about compatibility with other lancing devices.

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