Robots in the Lab: The New Standard for Blood Collection

Robots in the Lab: The New Standard for Blood Collection

For many people, going to the doctor is a dreaded routine that brings up fear and anxiety. Approximately 30.1% of patients and 19.5% of healthy individuals in a study reported a fear of blood or injections [1]. Now imagine if this aspect of going to the doctor could be completed from potentially more accessible settings. This is what Vitestro is doing. 

Aletta is setting a new standard for blood collection, which is the first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (ARPD). It uses near-infrared (NIR) imaging and ultrasound to locate veins with high accuracy, with 85% of patients
considering the pain less than or similar to venipuncture [2]. The system can complete all aspects of a blood draw, including changing and inverting the tubes, identifying the vein, inserting the needle, and placing a bandage.
However, the major benefit is that the needle is never visible to the patient, helping to reduce anxiety and fear. The Aletta system uses Doppler ultrasound to ensure the correct detection of a vein and not an artery with submillimeter
precision [2]. Additionally, there is a 95% first-stick success rate with Aletta, compared to a failure rate of 27% for difficult-to-puncture patients and a general average of 3-7% [3].
The Aletta system was designed to streamline workflows and reduce healthcare burden. One supervisor is able to oversee up to three devices simultaneously, assisting with the global healthcare shortage. It can also help improve patient outcomes, as there is a lower chance that a repeated stick is required. Furthermore, it reduces patient pain and 
anxiety, with a 98% patient acceptance rate [2]. Aletta has already received CE mark certification for the European Union and is being used in various hospitals in the Netherlands [4]. Vitestro is hoping to secure the US regulatory 
approval and begin global expansion. Hopefully, products such as the Aletta will reduce clinical burden and improve patient anxiety globally.

Written by Jennifer Joanna-Joan Villeneuve.

References
[1] S. Kose and A. Mandiracioglu, “Fear of blood/injection in healthy and unhealthy adults admitted to a teaching 
hospital,” Int J Clin Pract, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 453–457, Mar. 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01150.x.
[2] “Homepage,” Vitestro. Accessed: Jan. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://vitestro.com/
[3] J. M. Leipheimer et al., “First-in-human evaluation of a hand-held automated venipuncture device for rapid 
venous blood draws,” Technology (Singap World Sci), vol. 7, no. 3–4, pp. 98–107, 2019, doi: 
10.1142/S2339547819500067.
[4] H. Oevermans, “Vitestro Unveils Aletta®: The World’s First Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy DeviceTM
(ARPDTM),” Vitestro. Accessed: Jan. 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://vitestro.com/news/vitestro-unveilsaletta-the-worlds-first-autonomous-robotic-phlebotomy-device-arpd/

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