Blood tests without the needle made possible by engineering students

Engineering students from Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology in Aligarh, India claim to have an answer to doing blood tests without the needle prick that some people fear. This was achieved reportedly using electrical properties of blood cells that to successfully count red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). 

The researchers have used a laser that will count the blood cells when placed on superficial veins and according to HindustanTimes, the lower lip is one of the best areas of the body for this. 

The students say this will be the first time blood tests are performed without a needle prick being necessary. 

Rohan Maheshwari, the leader of the four students behind the new innovation, explained how it works:

Once the data is collected it will be transferred to software that analyses and compares the blood cell count with the standard data. Using the concept of cloud computing, the software will send a text message to the patient’s phone. If it detects some considerable deviation, the doctor concerned will recieve the acquired data. The doctor will be able to treat the patient from home and notify the pharmacy about the prescribed medicines that have to be delivered to the patient’s home

– India TV News

The students also walked away with the winning prize money at the GE Eidson Challenge 2016. 

The prototype was also applauded for its other medical benefits it could provide in the future of biomedical care. A gynaecologist, Dr Jyotsna Mehta said, “Increase in the WBC count is indicative of acute bacterial infection. The prototype can be of great help in detecting such infections.”