Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new venipuncture robot that can not only draw blood and perform medical laboratory tests, but also provide immediate analyses of blood samples at point-of-care locations, such as clinics, private doctor’s offices, and rural environments.

It’s a development that could give clinical laboratories new opportunities to support physicians. But, should blood labs, phlebotomists, and medical technologists feel threatened by this development?

“This device represents the holy grail in blood testing technology,” said Martin L. Yarmush, MD, PhD, Bioengineer and Translational Scientist, Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University, and senior author of the study, in a news release. “Integrating miniaturized robotic and microfluidic (lab-on-a-chip) systems, this technology combines the breadth and accuracy of traditional blood drawing and laboratory testing with the speed and convenience of point-of-care testing… Continue reading.