Netherlands-based Vitestro has announced successful trial results evaluating the safety and efficacy of its autonomous blood-drawing device. The device achieved a 95% success rate, with 83% of participants finding the procedure as comfortable as or less painful than manual blood draws.

Why it’s notable:

• Results from the pivotal phase of the Autonomous Blood Drawing Optimization and Performance Testing (ADOPT) study (NCT05878483), involving 609 participants, reveal that Vitestro's device achieved a 95% first-stick success rate, comparable to the 93-97% success rates seen with manual venipuncture. Furthermore, the device achieved a haemolysis rate of 0.6%, well below the ≤2% benchmark set by the American Society of Clinical Pathology for optimal sample collection. Haemolysis, which can result from improper sample collection, renders blood samples unfit for analysis

• Additionally, the device achieved a median procedure time of 1 minute 49 seconds, significantly faster than the manual process, which typically averages 5 minutes. The device also demonstrated high patient acceptance, with 98% of patients embracing the automated blood draw device. Moreover, 83% of patients rated the procedure's pain level as equal to or less than that of manual blood draws, highlighting its favorable reception among users.

POV: Vitestro’s achievements potentially paves the way for increased utilization and acceptance of robotics and AI in patient-facing healthcare settings.

• Vitestro's device was designed using artificial intelligence (AI), advanced imaging technology and robotics. The device exemplifies the growing role of robotics in healthcare beyond surgical applications. The successful deployment of this technology could pave the way for broader acceptance and integration of AI-driven, autonomous devices in various medical procedures, enhancing overall patient care and operational efficiency. Additionally, the device has the potential to alleviate the workload on nursing staff and mitigate staffing shortages by minimizing the requirement for manual blood draws.

• The robotics industry's projected growth to over $218 billion by 2030 presents substantial opportunities for companies like Vitestro. The recent $22 million funding round not only positions Vitestro to accelerate commercialization efforts in Europe and expand into the lucrative US market but also supports innovation in medical technology and strengthens competitiveness in the evolving healthcare landscape. With the company on track to obtain CE marking by the end of 2024 and total funding now reaching $50 million, Vitestro is poised for significant advancement in autonomous blood-drawing technology.

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