Discover Amsterdam
Meetings and Conventions
Business
Live, Work and Study
Do business in the Amsterdam Area
Discover Amsterdam
Meetings and Conventions
Business
Live, Work and Study
Nurse working at OLVG hospital.
Image from Koos Busters Nationale Beeldbank

Amsterdam-based OLVG Lab first in Europe to use autonomous blood drawing robots

Leading clinical laboratory OLVG Lab will be the first healthcare facility in Europe to make use of fully autonomous blood sampling devices developed by Vitestro. This innovative technology is set to be on the market by 2024, and will provide safe and consistent blood collection while relieving pressure on medical staff.

Martijn de Boer
Senior Manager Foreign Investments: Life Sciences & Health and Knowledge & Innovation
amsterdam inbusiness is the official direct investment agency of the Amsterdam Area. We provide access to business intel, networks and potential partners, help tailor fact-finding visits, streamline setting up, and support you long-term as you expand your business.
Amsterdam Inbusiness
Contact me

Collaborating to make healthcare more efficient

Blood tests are a key part of diagnostics, determining 70% of the decisions doctors make. With an ageing population and shortage of staff, the strain on medical personnel is only increasing. In Amsterdam, leading Dutch laboratory group OLVG Lab is addressing this issue by being the first to sign on to use fully autonomous blood collection robots developed by Utrecht-based Vitestro.

OLVG Lab has been involved in the development of these devices since 2018, along with several other Dutch laboratories. The device uses infrared to locate the vein, after which a 3D reconstruction of the blood vessel and AI-based and ultrasound-guided robotic needle determine the ideal puncture site on a precise level. This ensures accurate and consistent blood collection that can be done independently, or under the supervision of trained staff. 

automated blood smaple robot
Image from Courtesy of Vitestro

Pioneers in new technology

The technology has already been successfully tested among patients and blood drawing staff at OLVG hospital. Once a CE mark is granted, the devices are set to be widely implemented in 2024. This will help relieve pressure on busy blood collection outpatient facilities. In preparation for the new way of working, OLVG staff have already taken part in Vitestro Academy, where they are trained on how to use the innovation safely and reshape their workflow.

“Robotisation is an important theme within diagnostics. The Vitestro blood collection device contributes to standardising and optimising the collection procedure. It helps to solve staff shortages in our blood collection department, but more importantly patients are very enthusiastic. This also applies to our team, which looks forward to applying this breakthrough in healthcare.”
- Anja Leyte, Director of OLVG Lab

Connections that extend through the region and beyond

The life sciences and health ecosystem in Amsterdam benefits from close connections within the region and beyond. This partnership is just one example of how knowledge and technology is developed and implemented inter-regionally to cultivate future solutions. Taking a collaborative approach has helped the Netherlands become one of Europe’s most competitive business ecosystems, making it the perfect location to bring innovative ideas to life.

Martijn de Boer
Senior Manager Foreign Investments: Life Sciences & Health and Knowledge & Innovation
amsterdam inbusiness is the official direct investment agency of the Amsterdam Area. We provide access to business intel, networks and potential partners, help tailor fact-finding visits, streamline setting up, and support you long-term as you expand your business.
Amsterdam Inbusiness
Contact me