Noninvasive measurement of pH in platelet concentrates with a fiber optic fluorescence detector.
BACKGROUND
Stored platelets (PLTs) are metabolically active, resulting in a decrease of pH during storage. The pH of PLT concentrates (PCs) is recognized as a measure of quality, and pH limits are set by regulatory bodies. A pH sensor was built into a PLT storage container, and the feasibility of testing pH using a noninvasive fluorescent measurement method was evaluated.


METHODS
A citrated polyvinylchloride (PVC) PLT storage container with pH sensor insert was made and evaluated for biocompatibility during PLT storage and on pH reading accuracy, reproducibility, and durability. A noninvasive fluorescence reader was tested versus syringe-based sampling and subsequent measurement with a blood gas analyzer (BGA). The effect of interfering substances in plasma on the accuracy of this optical measurement was tested. Calibration and accuracy of the pH sensor were determined in both phosphate-buffered saline and in PCs.


RESULTS
The citrated PVC storage container with pH sensor insert showed good storage properties for 300 mL of pooled buffy coat PLTs in plasma over 7 days. The pH sensor was easy to use and tracked pH(22) in the range of 6.2 to 7.8 over 11 days of storage. Accuracy in PCs was 0.08 pH units measured at 22 degrees C when calibrated against a BGA.


CONCLUSIONS
The storage container with integrated pH sensor and noninvasive reader allows pH of PCs to be tracked over time in a noninvasive manner.
Reed
Mike W
MW
Blood Cell Storage Inc (BCSI), Seattle, WA, USA.
Geelhood
Steve
S
Barker
Lynn M
LM
Pfalzgraf
Randy
R
Vlaar
Richard
R
Gouwerok
Eric
E
De Cuyper
Iris M
IM
Harris
Paul
P
Verhoeven
Arthur J
AJ
de Korte
Dirk
D
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002138:Calibration; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration