Two chambered autotransfuser device and method of use

Abstract

An autotransfuser includes, in a single receptacle, a pair of chambers separated by a common wall. Each receptacle can alternately perform a blood infusion or blood collection function. Each chamber includes at least three inlets/outlets, a blood inlet, a blood outlet and an air inlet. In some embodiments of the invention the air inlet serves alternately to couple either an air or a pressure source on the one hand or a vacuum source on the other hand to the corresponding chamber. In other embodiments of the invention, the air inlet comprises a vacuum inlet and a separate air or pressure inlet. A disk like device or valve manifold is arranged for rotatable movement adjacent the inlets/outlets. The disk like device includes four channels, one for each of air or pressure, vacuum, blood inlet and blood infusion. Each channel includes a port for coupling to external tubing and at least one channel end. The channel ends are located in the disk like device so that by rotating the disk like device to two distinct positions, one or the other of the functions can be performed by each chamber. A robust blood valve is also disclosed which has a float element of density to allow it to float in a pool of human blood and a significant closure force of about ten grams.