Autonomous Blood Drawing Optimization and Performance Testing

This study is testing a robotic device designed to draw blood automatically, without a human phlebotomist. Blood draws are a routine but often anxiety-inducing part of medical care, and finding a reliable automated alternative could reduce wait times, improve consistency, and expand access in under-resourced settings. The device targets the antecubital fossa — the soft area inside the elbow — which is the standard site for venipuncture. Adults 16 years and older with accessible veins in at least one arm are eligible. You cannot participate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a physical or mental impairment that prevents following instructions, have arteriovenous fistulas, active skin infections, tattoos, or significant scarring in both elbow areas, or have had a mastectomy with lymph node removal on both sides. Participants will have their blood drawn by both the automated device and a human phlebotomist, and outcomes such as success rate, comfort, and sample quality will be compared. This research is an important step toward validating autonomous medical procedures — if the robot performs as well as a trained human, it could transform routine healthcare delivery, particularly in high-volume labs and remote clinics.