Evaluation of Blood-Sampling Performance of Automatic Fingertip-Blood-Sampling System and Correlation Between Fingertip-Blood-Vessel Image and Blood-Sampling Volume

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the blood-sampling performance of an automatic fingertip blood-sampling system with a fingertip vessel-puncture function (FBS-FV) and to examine the relationship between sampled blood volume and fingertip blood-vessel image features. Methods: To obtain a consistent blood volume for testing, the FBS-FV selects and punctures near a large blood based on fingertip blood-vessel imaging and promotes bleeding by alternately pressing and releasing the fingertip. A blood-sampling experiment was conducted with 18 participants (men and women in their 20 to 60 s). Puncture accuracy, blood volume, and image features (relative brightness at the puncture position V and brightness change due to compression C) were analyzed. Multiple regression was applied to assess the predictive value of V and C for blood volume. Results: (1) The deviation between the target and actual puncture positions was less than 1 mm, indicating high accuracy. (2) The proportion of blood samples obtained using the FBS-FV that exceeded the target volume (650 μL) was 42%, which was lower than in a previous experiment where the puncture position selected by the FBS-FV was manually punctured and blood was sampled. (3) Multiple regression analysis using image features V and C yielded coefficients of determination of 0.64 and 0.41 for high- and low-volume groups, respectively, suggesting that the possibility of predicting blood volume using these variables. Conclusion: The FBS-FV demonstrated precise puncture performance and potential for predicting blood volume using image features. Further optimization of the FBS-FV’s compression control might improve the consistency of blood sampling.