Abstract: A method for using red blood cell deformability testing to improve management of blood product comprising RBC, the method comprising: generating deformability data for red blood cells corresponding to a respective unit of blood product; correlating the deformability data with red blood cell viability or efficacy based on any available direct or indirect in vivo performance data; obtaining a representation of quality for the respective unit of blood product; and based on the representation of quality assigning a relative rank to and/or timing a transfer of the respective unit in an inventory of stored blood product units.

Abstract: A device for testing erythrocyte membrane mechanical fragility that incorporates single-use disposable containers for holding cell samples, the device comprising: a stressor for subjecting a sample comprising red blood cells to a mechanical stress capable of causing hemolysis, wherein said sample remains within a disposable component during the subjecting; and a detector for direct or indirect measurement of said hemolysis present in said sample after particular extent(s) of said stress, whereby said measurement can occur while said sample remains within said component. In addition, the present disclosure specifically addresses such systems wherein said mechanical stress is ultrasonic stress.