United States of America. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new device that offers people with diabetes a means of drawing blood without using traditional lancets. The device: the Cell Robotics’ Lasette: is a portable battery-operated Erbium: YAG laser that can be used in the home after patients have received a prescription and requisite instruction from their health care provider.

Patients with diabetes have to draw blood samples for blood/glucose level analysis once or twice a day. Traditionally, they have had to prick their fingers with lancets to get these samples, a process that can be particularly difficult for children. Lasette uses laser energy to penetrate the skin and is effective for both adults and children with diabetes. As with any laser device, the Lasette requires proper maintenance and instruction in order to be used safely and effectively. Patients will receive this training and instruction material from the prescribing health care provider.

Reference: HHS News P98-38 dated 7 December 1998.