Install-Vasc
An Exoskeleton-Assisted System for Intravenous Catheter Placement
Install-Vasc is a clinician-informed system designed to support intravenous catheter insertion by improving stability, control, and consistency during vascular access procedures.
Our exoskeleton-based device is intended to assist clinicians during technically demanding IV placements while preserving full clinical judgment and procedural control.
Designed for Clinical Workflow
Install-Vasc provides mechanical support during ultrasound-guided intravenous catheter insertion to help reduce unintended movement and hand fatigue during needle advancement.
The system is designed to stabilize hand positioning while clinicians visualize the target vessel in real time using ultrasound, supporting greater consistency during insertion.
By supporting control and precision during ultrasound-guided placement, Install-Vasc is intended to support clinician efforts to achieve successful IV access on the first attempt, particularly in technically challenging cases.
Developed and Tested with Anesthesiologists
Install-Vasc has been developed and iteratively tested in collaboration with practicing anesthesiologists, incorporating feedback from clinicians experienced in high-acuity and technically complex vascular access scenarios.
Clinical input has informed the system’s design, ergonomics, and intended use to ensure relevance, usability, and alignment with real procedural conditions.
The Problem
Intravenous catheter placement is a routine yet technically demanding procedure, particularly in patients with difficult venous access.
Hand instability, repetitive strain, patient movement, and time pressure can increase procedural complexity, leading to multiple attempts, delays, and patient discomfort.
These challenges are amplified in operating rooms and other high-acuity environments, where precision and efficiency are critical.
Resources - to update (not right ones)
Literature Review of Medication Errors and Intravenous Therapy
Introduction
Medication-administration errors and complications associated with intravenous (IV) therapy
remain significant causes of patient harm worldwide. DVI-Stat aims to address these issues by
providing real-time monitoring of IV infusions and supporting safe medication delivery. This
literature review summarises published evidence on the prevalence, causes and economic
impact of medication errors, with emphasis on perioperative settings and the Canadian context.
Improving safety in the operating room: Medication icon labels increase visibility and discrimination
Introduction
Over seven million patients (da Silva and Krishnamurthy, 2016) are estimated to be affected by medication failures each year in the United States, with some studies suggesting even higher rates (Prakash et al., 2018). During an anesthetic, the rate of a medication error is 5.3% for all medications delivered in surgery, with three fourths of these considered preventable (Nanji et al., 2016). Misreading labels, syringes, and ampoules is reported to make up 54.4% of medication administration failures (Erdmann et al., 2016).
