Abstract:
A cost-effective, 4 DEG C storage procedure that preserves red cell quality and prolongs post-transfusion in vivo survival is described. Preservation of adenosine triphosphate levels and reduction in hemolysis and in membrane vesicle production of red blood cells stored at 4 DEG C for prolonged periods of time is achieved by removing oxygen therefrom at the time of storage. Adenosine triphosphate levels of the stored red blood cells are boosted in some samples by addition of ammonium phosphate.
Abstract:
A cellular diagnostic array (20) has been developed that provides accurate and reproducible measurements of the physical parameters of individual cells en masse , including cell membrane surface area, cell volume, and excess membrane. Three differing patterns are employed. In the first design, a gradient array (20) having rectangular shaped channels (32) is used to capture cells and readily show the ratio of volume to surface area for the captured cell. The second silicone rubber array (20) provided by the present invention employs an array of wedge-shaped pipettes, each of which captures an individual cell. The position of the cell within a wedge is enough to determine the cell's actual surface area and volume. A third type of cellular diagnostic array according to the present invention employs an array of channel designed to deform a cell to show how the cell responds to repeated deformations.