Fig. 1.

Design and structure of the microbiopsy (MB) devices. (A) Size comparison between a conventional 3 mm skin punch and a MB device. (B) Assemblage of the MB devices into a spring-loaded applicator. (C) Size comparison between the MB device and the mouthparts of sand flies. (D) Assembly of the MB devices. MB device type 1 (MB1) has a bifurcated central plate for sampling (mostly) skin. MB type 2 (MB2) has an absorbent central layer made of either polyethersulfone (PES) or Whatman paper No. 1. MB1s were produced by laser cutting to obtain precise sizes. Photo etching was used to produce MB2s with razor-sharp cutting edges.