An improved blood-loss monitor
Paton, J.S.; Shaw, A.; Cunningham, A.D.; Gregory, N.L.; Lewis, R.B.; Mcmahon, R.
Lancet 2(8041): 744-745
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 71546 Document Number: 115319
On way to estimate blood-loss during surgery is to wash in water the swabs and drapes on which blood has collected and to measure the blood-volume lost by photocolorimetry. The washing-out system of the blood-loss monitor comprises a tank, an electrically-driven air pump and an air disperser. When the pump is operating, air bubbling through the water creates enough turbulence to wash the blood efficiently from materials placed in the tank. A photocolorimeter probe is immersed in the tank. The continuous digital display is bright enough to be read from any point in the average operating theatre. The display is in millelites of blood.