Inventors:
Ronald O. Gilcher - Edmond OK
Allen Latham - Jamaica Plain MA
Jonathan D. Schiff - Boston MA
Donald W. Schoendorfer - Brookline MA
Assignee:
Haemonetics Corporation - Braintree MA
International Classification:
A61M 500
Abstract:
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.