Optimization of mechanically operated blood collection and monitoring device

Abstract

A blood collection monitor is a device used to collect blood from the donor. The apparatus comprises a cradle, which is provided with regular oscillations through a mechanical linkage mechanism. The standard blood is subtended in the cradle which gets naturally oscillated on the virtue of the cradle moment. The oscillatory movement causes the blood to homogenize with the anticoagulants present in the blood bag, preventing it from coagulation. Moreover, the device includes a blood quantification mechanism that weights the blood collected in the bag and displays the numeral value on the device monitor. These existing blood collection monitoring devices are broadly found to be expensive and heavyweight, making them unaffordable and difficult to port. Moreover, being functioned using electricity makes it dependent on the external power supply, thereby limiting its usage in areas lacking electricity. Thus, a novel attempt was made to resolve these deficiencies by introducing a mechanically operated blood collection and monitoring device. Irrespective of the device's proper functioning, the integration of mechanical transmission mechanism, quantification mechanism, and metallic casing resulted in heavy yet robust construction of the device. The present study discloses the optimization methodologies and their implementation to reduce the device's weight and make it sturdier. The main components of the device were selected for optimization, and the CAD interface was utilized to alter the materials and quantity the weight of the main parts. Other practices were also suggested for better utilization of the device, thereby making it practical and impactful.