Capillary blood sampling is becoming a common way to minimize the amount of blood drawn from a patient. The 10 or 20 microliters can be used to look for anemia, check blood sugar or even to evaluate thyroid function. The procedure is easier and less painful than traditional venipuncture which draws blood from a vein.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies investigate the absorption and movement of drugs within the body. Since children absorb and process drugs differently than adults do, PK studies have to be done on children to determine safe and effective doses.

In days gone by, the doctor was considered a deity of sorts. Nurses and technicians stood at attention when this Olympian individual walked into a room. Most patients understood that they would be wise to follow the doctor's orders with precision and without question. That was doctor-centered medicine.

James Rudge has served as our Global Microsampling Specialist since January of 2015. Prior to joining Neoteryx, Dr. Rudge worked for Phenomenex for 14 years and is a co-inventor of the Mitra Microsampling Device and the Volumetric Absorptive Matrix Sampling (VAMS™) technology. 

This conversation is an excerpt from the e-book Exploring Microsampling by Bioanalysis Zone. In it, James explains the workings and applications of Mitra VAMS technology, and makes some predictions for the next 5-10 years of microsampling.

Between the arteries that carry blood away from the heart and veins that carry the blood back, there are tiny blood vessels that feed the tissues with oxygen and nutrients, called capillaries. When the tip of the finger is pricked, it is capillary blood that comes out. This is capillary blood sampling. 

If you're a visual learner, internet video provides ample opportunities to educate yourself about blood draws. For patients, being able to understand the methods that are used and the reasons why they are chosen gives a sense of involvement in their care. For professionals, such videos can open new ways of working, provide further evidence of their own findings, and highlight changes and concerns as they arise. Here are three videos that provide excellent support and information about fingerstick blood draws.