Autologous Transfusion Device for Use in Resource-Limited Settings

The lack of donated blood available for emergency transfusions in the developing world is a critically important issue that can significantly affect the prognosis and recovery of hemorrhaging patients. Autologous transfusion, in which a patient receives a transfusion of his or her own blood, is often used to reduce the need for donated blood. Clinicians in resource-limited settings have developed an improvised method of performing autologous transfusion using a soup ladle and simple gauze filter. This procedure is commonly used in cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy, during which patients can lose up to 2 l of blood through internal hemorrhage. The process involves several labor- and material-intensive steps, which can cause complications due to excessive environmental exposure and handling of the blood. The aim of this research was to develop a low-cost blood salvage device applicable to resource-limited settings capable of replacing the current method.