Proving the concept of a low-cost, gravityfed, blood separation unit

This project aims to establish the technical feasibility of a low-cost blood collection system
that enables donated blood to be separated into red cells and plasma under gravity. The
separation of whole blood into its component parts allows the donation to be shared amongst
several patients based on volume required, and, more importantly, allows the most appropriate
component to be transfused to the patient. In particular, the use of concentrated red cells to
treat anaemia is far preferable to the use of whole blood as most anaemia patients have a
normal blood volume and the transfusion of excess fluid volume may be detrimental to health.
Similarly, plasma transfusions may be given to bleeding mothers following childbirth.