New trends in bioanalysis sampling and pretreatment: How modern microsampling is revolutionising the field

Abstract

Microsampling technologies are revolutionising bioanalysis by enabling minimally invasive, decentralized sample collection, offering significant advantages over traditional methods in terms of patient compliance, cost-effectiveness, and analytical efficiency. This review explores the latest advancements in microsampling devices, including microfluidic and quantitative dried blood spot systems (mfDBS and qDBS, respectively), calibrated capillary-based devices, volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technologies, microneedle-based microsampling, radial-based DBS devices, membrane-based plasma separation technologies and vacuum-assisted blood collection systems. By addressing pre-analytical variability, enhancing analyte stability, and supporting decentralized workflows, these technologies align with modern and green analytical chemistry principles. The unique capabilities of these emerging microsampling technologies and devices further demonstrate their transformative potential. However, challenges remain, including haematocrit dependency for some parameters, user variability, and standardisation across devices. This review highlights ongoing innovations and their implications for expanding to high-quality bioanalytical testing.