New Lancets

[marc_kowal]

So Allere sent me a replacement pack of testing strips and I also received a different type of lancet. When I called about getting replacement strips, they asked if I wanted to try a new lancet they had. I said sure and told them to also send the old 23G lancet that goes in the pen that comes with the InRatio 2.

The new lancets are by Owen Mumford. "Unistik On-the-Go Lancets". It's a small box of 16 lancets, 21 gauge, depth 2mm. The lancets device is about 1" long and about 1/2" wide. You twist off the cap, press the tip against your finger and push the injection button. The needle is released and then retracts back inside the device. These are a "one and done" type device. You then dispose of the device in "an approved sharps container". What's nice is that these are small and can be carried around easily. I had no problems getting a blood sample out of my finger.

Just thought I'd pass along the info for anyone interested.

 

[chaconne]

Sounds similar to the Unistik 2 Normal and Extra lancets I use (21G, 2.0 and 3.0mm respec.) I've been using the 3.0mm depth "Extra" lancets to make sure I get a large drop of blood quick for my InRatio2.

 

[Protimenow]

The Unistik 2 and 3 'Extra' lancing devices deliver a good drop of blood. You can buy these devices on eBay (and elsewhere) for about a quarter or so apiece. Although ( have more than 1000 21 gauge lancets, I usually use the Unistik device. (I've used Bulllseye and others, 21 gauge, 2 or 3 mm depth, and they've also worked fine). Although the lancets are essentially 'free', I'd rather pay a quarter and not waste a $4-$5 strip because I didn't get a large enough drop of blood than to use a 'free' lancet and occasionally not get enough blood to get a good test result.

The Unistik 3 has little dots at the end where the lancing occurs -- it's supposed to fool the fingertip(or the brain) into feeling the diffuse pressure and not feeling the actual instant when the incision occurs.

(OTOH -- the 'tourniquet' method described by Pellicle -- wrapping thread or dental floss two or three times around the fingertip to be incised, and then making the incision -- also works well, and works well even with the cheap lancets and a standard lancing device)

 

[dick0236]

I have used the Unistick2 EXTRA for about a year and find that it alwasys gives me a good droplet.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

(OTOH -- the 'tourniquet' method described by Pellicle -- wrapping thread or dental floss two or three times around the fingertip to be incised...

just to be a little more clear on this, I wrap that around either the first or second joint of the finger, not at the tip.

The purpose is to allow more blood to collect in the fingertip and enhance blood availability (like on winter mornings where I just can't get blood out there) without disturbing the tissue factors and perhaps triggering that cascade earlier (as can be done by massaging).

I just try to follow closely the documentation and apply a little logic on the pathways, I could be on the wrong track but so far my results have been very very close to vein blood draws.

HTH

 

[Protimenow]

Thanks for the clarification about where you tie the floss. I've got a bit more confidence in my CoaguChek XS and InRatio values when I know that I've been able to put a large drop on the strip than when I deliver one of questionable volume.

A suggestion that appears in Coag-Sense documentation may also help -- after you've made the incision, squeeze the sides of the punctured area to open up the incision. This will also help deliver a bit more blood.