Separation of blood microsamples by exploiting sedimentation at the microscale

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Microsample analysis offers significant advantages in blood-based testing.
• Current limitations include challenges in obtaining high-quality, standardized microsamples at collection points.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a portable microfluidic device for efficient blood microsample separation.
• To address the need for standardized, high-purity serum microsamples from finger-prick collections.

Main Methods:

• A capillary-driven microfluidic device was designed based on blood particle sedimentation and viscosity differences in laminar flow.
• The device was tested for its ability to separate and meter serum microsamples.
• Purity and analytical consistency were assessed using flow cytometry, proteomics, metabolomics, and a clinical study.

Main Results:

• The developed device successfully separated and delivered 2 µL of metered serum from finger-prick blood.
• Flow cytometry confirmed the high purity of the generated microsamples.
• Proteomic and metabolomic analyses showed consistency with conventional centrifugation methods, validated in a clinical study.

Conclusions:

• The portable microfluidic device provides a reliable method for obtaining high-quality blood microsamples at the point of collection.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve blood-based testing accessibility and standardization.