Question: Is the human phlebotomist an endangered species? Answer: Not exactly. But a new study suggests that at least one robot may be able to collect blood samples just as well, if not better, than its human counterparts. The Study The focus of the story is the blood-sampling robot invented by researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey. More precisely, the robot is a device that combines miniaturized robotics and ultrasound imaging to identify suitable vessels for cannulation and robotically guide an attached needle toward the lumen center. In addition to drawing blood, the device includes a module for handling samples as well as a centrifuge-based blood analyzer. It all sounds quite ingenious, but does it actually work? Published in the journal Technology, the first clinical trial results suggest that it does. The device drew blood from 31 participants with an overall success rate of 87%, well within acceptable clinical standards. And the success rate increased to 97% for the 25 participants with veins that were easy to access. To put these numbers into perspective, the researchers cited studies documenting the venipuncture failure rate of clinicians fail, including: 27% in patients without visible veins; 40% in patients without palpable veins; […]