Transformative Fingertip Blood Collection Device Produces Lab-Quality Test Results

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Dec 2023

Image: The BD MiniDraw Capillary Blood Collection System is a novel blood collection device that obtains blood samples from a fingerstick (Photo courtesy of BD)

The traditional process of "blood work" for patients typically involves a visit to a laboratory service center where a professional, such as a nurse or phlebotomist, draws blood from the patient's vein. Now, a new blood collection device is set to revolutionize this standard procedure by allowing blood testing in more accessible and convenient locations, offering advantages for patients, healthcare providers, and collection sites.

Becton, Dickinson and Company’s (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) BD MiniDraw Capillary Blood Collection System is an innovative device that collects blood samples through a fingerstick, yielding laboratory-quality results for several common blood tests. Unlike the conventional venous blood draw, this system is less invasive, utilizing capillary blood from the patient's finger, which can be done by a trained healthcare worker without the need for a vein puncture by a phlebotomist. The device’s design enables the acquisition of lab-quality results from a smaller blood volume than what is typically required for venous collections. Moreover, it offers more convenience to patients by allowing blood collection at new venues, such as retail pharmacies, potentially enhancing the overall patient experience and revolutionizing diagnostic testing.

The use of the BD MiniDraw Collection System benefits patients by enabling them to have blood drawn in familiar places they frequently visit, like retail pharmacies or grocery stores. These locations often have extended operating hours and may be more conveniently located near their homes or workplaces. For these alternative collection sites, such as retail settings, the system not only complements existing health and wellness programs, like vaccine administration but also has the potential to increase foot traffic. Healthcare providers can benefit too, as capillary blood collection could be offered right in a physician's office without needing specialized phlebotomy staff. This ease and reduced invasiveness of the process might lead to improved patient compliance with blood testing, which is crucial for regular health assessments and could aid in the early detection and better management of chronic diseases.

BD has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the BD MiniDraw Collection System. This clearance covers low-volume blood collection for various tests, including lipid panels, select chemistry tests, and hemoglobin and hematocrit (H&H) testing, which are some of the most frequently requested laboratory tests. They are essential for diagnosing and monitoring various chronic conditions, from hypertension to high cholesterol. Looking ahead, BD aims to broaden the range of blood tests facilitated by the BD MiniDraw Collection System.

"Because the BD MiniDraw Collection System enables blood collection at non-traditional sites that may be more convenient—like your local pharmacy rather than a standalone lab—we can expand health equity and access, and make it easier for patients to get the blood tests they need both for preventative care and the management of chronic conditions," said Dave Hickey, executive vice president and president of Life Sciences for BD. "This innovation is our strategy and pipeline coming to life, and proof of our commitment to enabling diagnostics and care in alternate settings."

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