Babson Diagnostics has developed a hand-warming device that aims to improve the collection of capillary blood samples from a fingertip.

The Babson Hand Warmer device, within the BetterWay blood testing ecosystem, has completed the validation testing.

Babson said it collaborated with experts in biomedical engineering to create a device that could effectively warm the hand, a technique known to facilitate blood collection from a fingertip.

The BetterWay system is claimed to reimagine blood testing by integrating Babson’s proprietary sample preparation and laboratory technologies with the BD MiniDraw Capillary Collection System, which is a result of a strategic partnership between Babson and Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).

Slated for a commercial launch within the year, the Babson Hand Warmer simplifies blood testing and enhances accessibility. It requires only a small amount of blood from a finger to deliver medically accurate results.

Babson research and development vice-president Roy Barr said: “The Babson Hand Warmer supports blood collection from the finger, providing simultaneous warming of the hand with collection to create a repeatable and more pleasant blood testing experience for the customer.

"The device is another example of how BetterWay is putting the needs of the customer first.”

The hand-warming device was developed in collaboration with the University of Texas (UT) at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering.

A validation study was conducted on the device with staff at pharmacy partners to ensure compliance with the regulatory standards of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In a press statement, Babson said: “The device received overwhelmingly positive feedback from pharmacy staff trained as collection techs and the customers getting a BetterWay blood test.”

The Babson Hand Warmer is registered as a Class II medical device with the FDA.

In 2022, Babson and BD expanded their collaboration to advance blood sample collection into new care settings.