An evaluation of automated blood collection mixers.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the mixing capacity of two whole blood (WB) collection mixers.


METHODS
WB was simulated by using a 25% glycerol solution warmed to 35 degrees C. Citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant of a collection system was stained with toluidine blue, and simulated WB was added at 30, 60 or 90 ml/min, respectively (n = 3 per flow speed). The optical density (OD) of 10-ml fractions was measured, and results are expressed as percentage of a well-mixed '100%-sample'.


RESULTS
CompoGuard showed adequate mixing at all three flow speeds (average ODs 96-103%). HemoLight showed good mixing at 60 and 90 ml/min (ODs from 97 to 101%). At 30 ml/min, mixing appeared suboptimal, but still conformed to our requirements with ODs from 96% to 104%.


CONCLUSIONS
Both mixers give sufficient mixing of whole blood with anticoagulant.
van der Meer
P F
PF
Sanquin Blood Bank North-West Region, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.vandermeer@sanquin.nl
Pietersz
R N
RN
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001331:Automation; D001782:Blood Donors; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000925:Anticoagulants