An Aseptic Fluid Transfer System for Blood and Blood Components

Abstract
A device is described which can be attached to all blood bags. Two of these devices are heat-sealed together aseptically at any time during the storage life of the blood unit, and an opening connecting the 2 is created. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that 10 passes of a unit of [human] blood through these devices produced no cytological changes and did not alter the in vivo survival of the unit when transfused. If the unit is frozen, then thawed, and even stored at 4.degree. C for 5 days after thawing, the in vivo survival was still unaffected.