Single-Bag Blood Collection Monitor

What is the Single-Bag Blood Collection Monitor?

A single-bag blood collection monitor mixes and weighs one whole blood collection bag at a time, showing volume, flow rate and elapsed time. It suits donor rooms and hospital collection points that run one donor per station and want simple, reliable operation.

Overview

The single-bag monitor has one rocking platform with a load cell and a small display, typically an LCD with target preset keys. The platform tilts through roughly 10–15 degrees at 10–15 cycles per minute to mix blood and anticoagulant. Weight resolution is commonly 1 g over 0–1000 g, and the unit converts weight to volume using a preset blood density. Users select 350, 400 or 450 mL targets, or enter a custom value. A sound and light alarm signals target reached, low flow and over-time. Some models add an automatic clamp. Because it serves one station, it is compact, easy to clean and suitable as a bedside unit in blood centers that do not need networking. It can be used with standard single or multiple bag systems.

How does it work?

A blood collection monitor combines a tilting or rocking platform, a load cell and a microcontroller. The donor's blood flows by gravity and venous pressure into the bag, which rests on the platform. The rocker mixes blood with citrate anticoagulant, for example CPD or CPDA-1, to prevent clotting. The load cell measures mass, and the controller converts it to volume using blood density, about 1.053 g/mL, and compares it with a target such as 450 mL ±10%. Flow rate and elapsed time are displayed, and the system alarms on low flow, over-time collection or incomplete mixing. Many models drive a pinch clamp or tubing clamp to stop flow automatically at the target, and record each donation for traceability.

What are the key features?

• Rocking platform with adjustable angle and cycle rate
• Weight resolution of 1 g over 0–1000 g
• Preset volume targets of 350, 400 or 450 mL
• Audible and visual alarms for target, low flow and over-time
• Optional automatic tubing clamp at target volume
• Wipe-clean housing with sealed keypad

What are the technical specifications?

A typical single-bag blood collection monitor configuration offers weighing range of 0–1000 g, resolution of 1 g, volume accuracy of ±5 mL at 450 mL, rocking angle of 10–15° adjustable, rocking rate of 10–15 cycles/min and target presets of 350 / 400 / 450 mL and custom. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Single-Bag Blood Collection Monitor is used in donor room collection, hospital blood collection, autologous donation and blood center training. Across the wider Blood Collection Monitors class, laboratories also deploy it for whole blood donation collection, mobile donation drives and hospital autologous donation.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 13485, IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, IEC 62304, ISO 3826-1 and AABB Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 13485 and IEC 60601-1 test report; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Calibrate the load cell with certified weights at installation and on a regular schedule, commonly every six to twelve months, and verify mixing motion daily. Keep the platform level and free of vibration. Clean surfaces with approved disinfectants after each donor and inspect clamps for wear. Batteries on portable units need periodic replacement and charge logging. Software that stores donor data must follow data protection rules, and the device should be covered by the blood establishment's quality system. Keep service records and confirm electrical safety testing according to local rules.

How do I select the right Single-Bag Blood Collection Monitor?

Choose the single-bag model for one-station collection and simple use. Specify weight range, resolution, target presets, clamp requirement and power input. If two bags are processed at once or data must be networked, use a dual-bag or networked variant, and state the bag sets (single, double, triple) in use.

How does it compare with other Blood Collection Monitors variants?

Choose by collection setting. Fixed donor rooms can use mains-powered benchtop units, while mobile drives need battery-powered portable monitors. Check weight range and resolution, the accuracy of the volume calculation and whether mixing speed and angle are adjustable for your bag type. Automatic clamp, flow alarms and target presets reduce operator load. For traceability, consider barcode scanning, donor ID entry, bag lot recording and network output to the blood establishment information system. Confirm cleaning, tubing compatibility and operating hours per charge. Also check electrical safety class and how the device handles power interruption without losing donation data.