Automation in blood processing

Abstract

BackgroundTransfusion of blood components; namely packed red cells, platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma and sometimes cryoprecipitate has become an integral part in the management of many clinical situations. Processing of whole blood into its components can be achieved manually or by automation.Automation in Blood ProcessingIn order to reduce the laborious steps and standardize the quality of blood components several technologies have been developed to automate blood component preparation. The advantages of these technologies include reduction of a number of equipment, such as plasma extractors, electric sealers. This leads to reduction of workspace and consequently may increase production efficiency. It also reduces the work load for the operators since these automates usually include several steps like breaking of clamps, extraction of the blood components as well as sealing of the pilot lines between the blood bags. More over the automation will reduce the operator inter variability leading to production of more standardized blood components. Automation can be for the steps of separation of the components after centrifugation or can be done by modern processors that include both centrifugation and separation steps.ConclusionAutomation of blood component preparation from whole blood offers several advantages that include reduction of standard equipment, space, workload to lab staff as well as more standardized bloodcomponents.