# A Hand-held, Portable Robotic Device for Automated Venipuncture.

> **NIH NIH F31** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2020 · $34,529

## Abstract

Abstract
Venipuncture, the process of obtaining intravenous access for either catheter placements or blood sampling, is
one of the most standard clinical procedure performed worldwide. It is also the leading cause of both patient and
practitioner injury in healthcare facilities. This is because successfully identifying and cannulating veins relies
heavily on clinician expertise and patient physiology, where non-visible, non-palpable, or rolling veins create
challenges for clinicians to quickly and safely obtain venous access. My thesis project is involved with the
development of an ultrasound image-guided hand-held device for safely and efficiently obtaining venous access
in patients. The device works by using ultrasound imaging to identify vessels for cannulation in order to robotically
guide an attached needle safely to the vein center, all comprised within a hand-held, easy to use portable device.
The proposed research here involves the development of the hand-held device, including 1) development of a
puncture prediction software for assuring first-stick accuracy and 2) development of the hand-held robotic device
for portable use and performing catheter insertions. The outcome of this work will be the groundwork for a hand-
held automated venipuncture device for safe, quick, and simple venous access. Our hypothesis is that a device
utilizing ultrasound image guidance and robotic needle placement will increase first-stick accuracy and safety for
patients while simplifying the entire venipuncture process and reducing procedure time for clinicians.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10068402
- **Project number:** 1F31HL149219-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Josh Leipheimer
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $34,529
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-25 → 2022-08-24

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10068402

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10068402, A Hand-held, Portable Robotic Device for Automated Venipuncture. (1F31HL149219-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10068402. Licensed CC0.

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