Abstract: A method and device is provided for autotransfusion of blood during surgery. The shed blood is retrieved from the surgical field via a receiving vessel located within a vacuum chamber and under less vacuum than the vacuum applied to the chamber. The vacuum in the receiving vessel draws blood from the surgical field into the receiving vessel where it is first collected and then passed to a second vessel. The blood is transferred from the second vessel to the patient during reinfusion. Suitable filters are provided for removing any blood clots or bits of tissue before the blood is reinfused.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 3, 1975
Date of Patent:
March 29, 1977
Assignee:
The Rochester General Hospital
Inventors:
Joseph D. Welch, Barbara J. Doyle, Harvey A. Weintraub, Ludovico Cerulli