Lecture: "An autonomous image-guided robotic system for vascular access"

Professor Martin Yarmush is ​a 2021/2022 Sackler Fellow of the Mortimer and Raymond Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies.

Abstract:

In this presentation, I will describe a first-of-its-kind innovative assistive technology for vascular access in venipuncture and several other applications. The innovative imaging and robotic aspects of this technology aims to reduce the number of missed sticks/human error and reduce technician/nurse workload and foster better patient care. We have developed two separate prototypes: a so-called benchtop device, and a handheld device. The bench top model Called VenousProTM is a 9-degree-of-freedom NIR/US-assisted robotic system to autonomously puncture a target vessel in order to withdraw blood. The patient rests their arm in a designed sleeve and the blood draw is completed in under a minute. The second device, named Venibot, utilizes a combination of ultrasound imaging, miniaturized robotics, and machine learning to gain venous access safely and efficiently for performing both blood draws and intravenous catheter placements. The device is designed for hand-held use and is manually positioned over the insertion site by a clinician, wherein the device then handles the tasks of both finding the vessel and accurately guiding the attached needle toward the target vessel center.