microsampling: what it is and how it works

What You’ll Learn in This Article

• What microsampling is and how it differs from traditional venipuncture and DBS.

• The benefits, challenges, and practical considerations of microsampling blood.

• Emerging use cases for microsampling in research, diagnostics, and remote patient monitoring.

What Is Microsampling?

Microsampling involves collecting very small volumes of blood, typically between 10 and 30 µL, which are sufficient for a variety of laboratory analyses. This process is usually performed using a simple finger stick, with microsampling devices designed to collect fixed, volumetric samples that can be dried for stability and easy transport. In contrast, a conventional blood sample obtained through venipuncture can range from 5 to 10 mL, making it 500 to 1,000 times larger than a microsample.

Microsampling can reduce patient discomfort, streamline logistics, and enhance access to testing in remote locations or decentralized trials. It offers a modern alternative to traditional venipuncture and dried blood spot (DBS) sampling methods.

Microsampling vs. Traditional Venipuncture and DBS

Traditional venipuncture requires large volumes of blood, trained phlebotomists, and specific conditions for storage or shipping. In contrast, blood microsampling offers a faster and more accessible alternative. Using simple finger-stick methods, it allows for the collection of only the necessary amount of blood and can be performed with minimal training.

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has been in use since the 1960s, but it is subject to the hematocrit effect—variability caused by differences in the proportion of red blood cells in a sample. To overcome this limitation, modern microsampling devices like the Mitra® with Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS®) technology have been developed. These tools are designed to produce more reliable and reproducible data across a wide range of assays.

Blood sampling has long been a cornerstone of medical diagnostics, with up to 70 percent of all medical decisions relying on the results of tests that include blood analysis. While traditional collection methods remain necessary in some cases, they are not always practical especially in remote areas where access to medical facilities is limited. In such situations, blood microsampling can be a vital solution.

By simplifying the process, blood microsampling empowers individuals to collect their own specimens, making diagnostic testing more accessible and convenient.

How Microsampling Works: A Quick Overview

Microsampling is a procedure for capturing and analyzing minute samples of blood for analysis. 

1. Collection – A lancet is used to obtain a small drop of capillary blood from a fingertip, upper arm, or heel. The blood is absorbed onto a device tip or card at a fixed volume.

2. Drying & Storage – Samples dry at ambient conditions, reducing the need for cold chain shipping.

3. Analysis – Labs elute the dried sample from the device tip or card and run their tests on automated instrumentation.

Technical Challenges & Considerations

• Sample Stability: Dried microsamples can remain stable for days or weeks at room temperature, but environmental factors may still affect certain analytes.

• Hematocrit Bias: Traditional DBS cards may produce variability due to hematocrit levels, whereas volumetric devices are designed to address this.

• Extraction Efficiency: Different analytes require different extraction buffers and methods; labs must validate processes accordingly.

• User Technique: Proper site preparation, discard of the first drop, and avoiding “milking” the puncture site all help maintain specimen quality.

Key Benefits of Microsampling Blood

• Minimally Invasive – Less anxiety and discomfort for participants.

• Lower Logistics Costs – Fewer requirements for refrigeration or biohazard shipping.

• Remote Access – Patients can self-collect at home using detailed instructions.

• Ethical Compliance – Smaller blood volumes help protect vulnerable populations.

• Data Quality – Fixed-volume tips reduce variability, potentially improving analytical outcomes.

Use Cases for Microsampling Blood

• Clinical Trials – Decentralized, patient-friendly sampling that may improve retention.

• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) – More frequent, lower-burden monitoring without venipuncture.

• Pediatrics & Special Populations – Minimal sample volumes for vulnerable groups.

• Population Health & Remote Studies – Enables data collection outside clinical settings.

• Preclinical & Veterinary Research – As part of an international initiative aimed at improving the treatment of animals during medical screening, capillary microsampling was developed to address the 3Rs: Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement. This approach seeks to eliminate unnecessary harm to laboratory animals. The benefits of capillary microsampling extend beyond this goal, as it effectively reduces animal usage while supporting the principles of the 3Rs.

Next Steps

Thinking about integrating microsampling into your research or clinical workflows? Contact us to explore how our devices and expertise can help you adopt microsampling technology effectively. Or to learn more click here.