Vitestro unveils Aletta, the first autonomous blood collection robot
Vitestro, a Netherlands-based medical robotics company, has launched Aletta™, the world’s first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™). This CE-marked technology utilises AI-powered Doppler ultrasound imaging to identify veins and employs robotic-controlled needle insertion for blood collection, promising enhanced precision and consistency compared to traditional manual methods.
Clinical validation demonstrates comparable safety profile
The Aletta system, named after pioneering Dutch physician Dr. Aletta Jacobs, has undergone clinical validation in over 4,000 patients, demonstrating safety and comfort levels comparable to or better than conventional manual blood draws. This extensive testing has established a foundation for the device’s CE marking and initial commercial deployment across European healthcare facilities.
Aletta’s development addresses several pressing challenges in healthcare diagnostics, particularly the growing shortage of qualified phlebotomy personnel. By automating routine blood collection procedures, the technology aims to liberate healthcare professionals for more complex patient care activities while maintaining consistent sampling quality.
Advanced technical capabilities enhance diagnostic precision
The system’s technical architecture combines several sophisticated elements that work synergistically to optimise venous blood sampling. AI algorithms analyse ultrasound images to identify optimal venepuncture sites, while precision robotics execute the blood draw with standardised technique.
Key technological features include:
- Real-time vascular imaging through AI-enhanced Doppler ultrasound
- Robotically controlled needle placement for consistent vein access
- Fully automated specimen collection minimising procedural variability
- Seamless integration with existing laboratory information systems
- Validated safety mechanisms ensuring patient protection
Brian Joseph, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Vitestro, emphasises the human-centred design philosophy: “The name Aletta fosters a human connection with both healthcare professionals and patients – making Aletta more than just technology. Patients and healthcare staff will interact with Aletta every day, and we want them to see her as an integral part of the phlebotomy team.”
Regulatory pathway and future developments
While already available in European markets following CE-marking, Vitestro is actively pursuing FDA approval in the United States. The company is conducting multi-centre clinical trials in collaboration with American academic medical centres to support regulatory submissions.
This regulatory strategy reflects the company’s ambition to establish ARPD technology as a new global standard for diagnostic blood collection, potentially transforming laboratory medicine workflows in healthcare systems worldwide.
“With Aletta, Vitestro is shaping the future of blood collection – where human expertise and robotic precision work together to advance healthcare while preserving the human touch,” notes the company in its announcement.
The technology arrives at a critical juncture for laboratory medicine, with healthcare systems facing increasing diagnostic demands amid persistent staffing constraints. By standardising phlebotomy procedures, Aletta may contribute to improved diagnostic reliability while addressing operational challenges in modern healthcare delivery.
- For more information, visit: vitestro.com
