Robotic systems, devices, and methods for vascular access

A method, comprising:

• advancing, using a robotic system, a tip of a needle into a target vessel;
• advancing, using the robotic system, a guidewire through a lumen defined by the needle and into the target vessel until a tip of the guidewire extends distally from the tip of the needle;
• advancing, using the robotic system, a tip of a catheter over at least the guidewire such that the tip of the catheter extends a predetermined distance into the target vessel, the catheter including a catheter hub that is releasably coupled to the robotic system via a coupler;
• and
• after advancing the tip of the catheter into the target vessel, retracting, using the robotic system, the needle and the guidewire from the target vessel.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a guidewire;
• a needle including a sharpened tip configured to puncture into a target vessel in a patient, the needle defining a first lumen configured to receive the guidewire such that the guidewire can be advanced via the needle into the target vessel;
• and
• a catheter defining a second lumen, the catheter disposable about the guidewire such that the catheter can be advanced along the guidewire and into the target vessel;
• a robotic system configured to selectively advance the needle, the guidewire, and the catheter into the target vessel;
• a surgical bed including at least one flat portion configured to support the patient, the robotic system including a first portion that is coupled to the surgical bed and a second portion that is movable relative to the surgical bed to position the guidewire, the needle, and the catheter for insertion into the target vessel of the patient;
• and
• a control unit operatively coupled to the robotic system, the control unit configured to control the robotic system to:
• advance the needle until the sharpened tip of the needle is disposed in the target vessel;
• advance the guidewire through the first lumen of the needle until a distal end of the guidewire extends a predetermined distance from the sharpened tip of the needle;
• and
• advance the catheter over at least the guidewire such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed in the target vessel.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cartridge configured to couple to a manipulation device of a robotic system for providing access to a target vessel of a patient, the cartridge including:
• a housing;
• a guidewire disposable at least partially within the housing and configured to couple to a first linear actuator of the manipulation device that is moveable along a first axis to advance the guidewire;
• a needle disposable at least partially within the housing and configured to couple to a second linear actuator of the manipulation device that is moveable along a second axis to advance the needle;
• and
• a catheter configured to couple to a third linear actuator of the manipulation device that is moveable along a third axis to advance the catheter,
• the guidewire, the needle, and the catheter being arranged coaxially with the guidewire being disposed within a lumen of the needle and the needle being disposed within a lumen of the catheter.