Who benefits from fingerstick microsampling?

Finger-stick sampling is an increasingly popular method of collecting biofluid samples for research laboratories. While the basic concept of finger-stick sampling has existed for decades, recent innovations like Mitra^® devices have made it a more viable option for a greater number of people.

Since finger-stick sample collection can be done remotely, this approach enables researchers to reach study volunteers across a wider range of geographical areas.

Portable Mitra devices use volumetric absorptive microsampling technology, which quickly absorbs a precise sample of 2-4 drops of blood or other biofluid, reducing the potential for user error during the sampling process. Mitra devices feature a VAMS^® tip on one end that rapidly absorbs the exact volume needed for lab analysis, taking the guess-work out of sample collection.

Finger-stick sampling is minimally invasive and very convenient, making it an appealing alternative to conventional venipuncture blood draws performed in a facility by trained staff. Here are six groups of people that benefit most from finger-stick microsampling:

1. Athletes and Sports Agencies 

To keep major sporting events fair, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requires athletes to undergo blood testing to screen for prohibited substances when competing.

Traditionally, screening athletes was done using a conventional venipuncture blood draw during an in-person appointment with a phlebotomist, under the supervision of a doping control officer. 

Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes were recently permitted by some sports agencies like USADA to substitute the in-person specimen collection process in favor of remote microsampling while under observation via live video.

Since athletes aren't trained phlebotomists, they were permitted to use a range of finger-stick blood collection devices designed for easy use by anyone, anywhere. Individuals could collect finger-stick blood samples while on the video call, during which the observing officer also watched them seal their samples into a mailing envelope to prevent any attempts at sample tampering.

This remote and minimally invasive approach makes the anti-doping screening process much more convenient and efficient without compromising reliable results. In fact, finger-stick sampling worked so well in pilot studies with athletes that it was approved for use during future Olympic Games, beginning with the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.

2. Clinical Research Volunteers 

Many people would like to contribute to scientific advances by volunteering for scientific research studies, but their fear of getting poked with needles may hold them back from participating.

Those who do volunteer often abandon a study early, due to "needle fatigue" and also because the expense and stress of traveling back and forth for onsite appointments becomes burdensome.  

With finger-stick sampling, clinical trial volunteers can perform their own sample collection at home, and submit their specimen samples via mail. The only needle involved is a tiny lancet to prick their fingertip, after which they use a Mitra device to absorb the 2-4 small drops of blood that form.

This remote microsampling approach removes several of the most common barriers to clinical trial participation and greatly improves the overall participant experience. 

3. Elderly and Vulnerable People

Vulnerable patients and study volunteers no longer need to visit clinics or hospitals on a regular basis, which helps lower their risk of infection. 

The medical community generally recommends that elderly patients and those with chronic health conditions be offered remote care when possible.

This healthcare delivery method improves access to care when needed, and also reduces the risk of disease exposure in hospital settings — of particular concern for vulnerable populations. 

Finger-stick sampling can be used in conjunction with other remote technologies, such as heart monitors and other wearables, to improve the range of virtual care and research activities available for people isolating at home.

In addition to enabling remote monitoring of common chronic conditions like diabetes, this remote approach can be used for routine follow-up with study volunteers during a clinical trial to monitor the effects of medication and make dosing adjustments. 

4. Infants and Children 

It is sometimes necessary to collect bio-fluid samples from babies and youngsters to detect genetic diseases early and/or to study the effects of certain health conditions and treatments.

Children are often afraid of big needles and the associated pain, and it is difficult to get them to cooperate with a process they find so distressing. Clinicians and research staff sometimes have difficulty getting kids to sit still long enough to draw the required amount of blood. 

Microsampling via heel-stick for babies or finger-stick for kids is a much less painful and frightening experience than traditional blood draws that require a needle puncture in a vein of the arm. Although young children may be startled by the mild pain of a quick finger or heel prick, it is over in seconds, and nurses and parents report that the experience is much less traumatic.

A Mitra device can be used to quickly collect the necessary microsample. An added advantage for small-sized study subjects whose health may suffer from big blood draws — a finger-stick microsample is a very low-volume specimen, just 2-4 tiny drops of blood.  

5. People in Low-Resource Communities 

Many areas of the world still lack the basic infrastructure (such as electricity and plumbing) needed to support local clinics and facilities where blood draws could be conducted.

These areas are often isolated, and locals may lack the means to travel to distant city centers. Traditional blood samples could be collected in the field, but this would require trained staff, and samples would not remain viable during transport without expensive and complicated cold-chain shipping. 

With finger-stick sampling, dried blood microsamples can be collected easily using portable devices and at-home collection kits. The samples can be self-collected by study subjects or patients at home, who can follow the illustrated instructions contained in the kit.

Because the collected microsamples are meant to be analyzed as a dried blood sample, they can be sent via mail to a central lab anywhere in the world without cold shipping.

These dried blood samples provide health data that shows excellent correlation when compared to traditional liquid blood samples.

6. Researchers and Lab Managers 

Sample collection is a common component of clinical studies, especially in fields such as toxicology and infectious disease.

Unfortunately, the typical venipuncture blood draw process is resource-intensive for research labs and stressful for study volunteers. Few people are eager to sign up for a clinical trial if it means numerous trips to the trial site to have their blood drawn using what may seem like a large and intimidating needle.

Finger-stick sampling is a less daunting and more convenient sample collection method that allows researchers to obtain samples from a wider range of populations than ever before. Mitra devices can be shipped directly to people's homes to allow them to collect their own high-quality samples.

Researchers don’t need additional specimen collection staff to perform these procedures. The improved ease and convenience of participation also makes people more likely to volunteer as trial subjects, increasing the number and diversity of candidates from which researchers can choose.