Problem: While frozen storage of blood cell products has been shown to be an effective means of preservation for periods of ten years or more, the removal of the cryoprotectant from the thawed product has only been demonstrated under nonsterile conditions. Hence the red blood cells (RBCs) recovered after the wash process have been approved for human use within a post-thaw period of 24 hours by the FDA. Objective: A principal objective is to design, build and test a cell washing system, based on diafiltration, that can complete the washing process under sterile conditions. The washed RBCs recovered from the system will be tested for their viability 5 days and also 21 days after thawing. Another objective is to determine the feasibility of washing the cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide) from thawed platelets.
Anticipated Results: Delivery of prototype with preproduction cell washing systems, suitable for washing thawed, glycerolized RBCs and suspending the RBCs in an adjuvant solution, is anticipated. Extended post-thaw survival of the washed RBCs is expected to be demonstrated with the prototype cell washer.
Benefits: The anticipate benefit arising from a closed and sterile cell washing system is the expanded use of frozen RBCs by the military as a supplement to the supply of fresh RBCs during an armed conflict in the care of wounded personnel.
Keywords: glycerol dimethyl sulfoxide diafiltration cryoprotectant red cells platelets membrane microporous
