Haemonetics Corporation

Jonathan D Schiff

Donald W Schoendorfer

Allen Latham, Jr

Ronald O Gilcher

Richard M Lueptow

A blood donation unit in which a phlebotomy needle is coupled on one conduit to a source of anticoagulant contained in a flexible bag and on another conduit to a flexible collection bag. The anticoagulant bag and collection bag are placed in a chamber within which a vacuum is created, preferably by a hand pump operated by the donor. A rigid plate is disposed between the two bags. The blood flow from the donor is maintained at an adaquate flow level by the donor's pumping which provides a pressure differential between the bags and the needle. The whole blood is mixed with anticoagulant immediately after passing through the phlebotomy needle. The ratio of whole blood to anticoagulant is independent of the volume of whole blood collected and is fixed by the ratio of the surface areas of opposing bag surfaces at the interface with the plate.

Blood donation unit

A blood donation unit in which a reduced outside diameter phlebotomy needle is employed to minimize donor discomfort. The blood flow if, however, maintained at a flow level similar to that obtained with standard gauge phlebotomy needles by a roller pump which provides a predetermined pressure differential between the ends of the phlebotomy needle. The blood is mixed with a predetermined ratio of anticoagulant immediately after passing through the phlebotomy needle. The ratio of whole blood to anticoagulant is independent of the volume of whole blood collected.

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Jonathan D Schiff