Design and Construction of Improvised Mini-Blood Storage Refrigerator
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Date
2017-07-01
Authors
Nwaneri, S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos
Abstract
Background: Domestic refrigerators and freezers are generally used for the storage of blood and blood components. In ruralareas, especially in low and medium income countries, there is need to develop low cost portable refrigerators for the storage ofblood.
Objective: The objective of this study was to design and construct a low cost, portable blood storage refrigerator capable ofmaintaining the temperature range (2°C–6°C).
Methods: The casing was constructed from a scrap microwave oven as the magnetron, transformer and other electronic componentswere removed in order to create a space to accommodate the compressor engine. The device comprised an electrically powered compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube or expansion valve, an evaporator, and a temperature regulator. The components were joined using gas welding. Blood was stored in the device for 7 days and the effectiveness of our device was tested by determining the viability of the stored blood.
Results: The device maintained a steady temperature of 2ºC-6ºC with the capacity to store about 10 blood bags. Haematocrit level and haemoglobin concentrations were determined at storage and at the end of the device testing using the haematology analyzer.
Both parameters showed only a slight reduction, which was still within the acceptable limits. The pre-storage haematocrit was 45% while post storage was 39% and the haemoglobin concentration which was 15 g/dl had reduced to 13 g/dl.
Conclusion: The purpose-designed blood storage device was shown to be effective in the storage of blood.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Blood storage refrigerator , Haemoglobin , Blood haemolysis , Rural areas , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
Nwaneri, SC Agbelusi, T. & Olawuyi, A.M. (2017). Design and Construction of Improvised Mini-Blood Storage Refrigerator, University of Lagos Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 5(10):42 – 45.