Fig. 2.
Internal components and mechanisms of the VeniBot device. The device features a 2D ultrasound probe combined with a needle manipulator unit. This robotic system comprises 3 degrees-of-freedom for performing the venipuncture: 1) the alignment motor (Zm) for vertical motion, 2) the insertion-angle motor (θm) for adjusting the angle-of-insertion, and 3) the insertion motor (Injm) responsible for needle translation. A needle clip containing the PIVC is loaded into the device and held in place via a neodymium magnet. A custom ultrasound gel clip is attached to the transducer head to provide acoustic coupling. A blood flash sensor is located within the catheter sheath push to detect if blood flow is present through the catheter sheath postpuncture.