Apparatus and system for measuring volume of blood loss

A blood loss measurement device for determining the amount of blood of a subject within a fluid, the fluid having a volume, the blood measurement device comprising:

• a suction container configured for collecting blood lost from a patient during a surgical procedure;
• a lid coupled to a top of the container;
• a support structure coupled to and vertically oriented within the container;
• a broad spectrum light source configured to generate light at a plurality of wavelengths;
• at least one light sensor configured to detect a first amount of light from the light source at the first wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths and a second wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths that is different than the first wavelength;
• a plurality of optical fibers comprising:
• a first optical fiber having a long axis and coupled to the support structure so that the long axis of the first optical fiber extends within the container, the first optical fiber having a first receiving end coupled to the light source and a transmitting end opposite the first receiving end disposed in the suction container;
• and
• a second optical fiber having a long axis and coupled to the support structure so that the long axis of the second optical fiber extends within the container with a first receiving end of the second optical fiber disposed within the container and spaced from and positioned proximate to a second transmitting end of the first optical fiber so as to allow fluid within the container to be disposed between the second transmitting end of the first optical fiber and the first receiving end of the second optical fiber, the first receiving end of the second optical fiber positioned proximate the second transmitting end of the first optical fiber so that light emanating from the second transmitting end of the first optical fiber can be at least partially received by the first receiving end of the second optical fiber, the second optical fiber having a second transmitting end coupled to the at least one light sensor, the amount of light received by the second optical fiber being detected by the at least one light sensor to detect an amount of light received by the second optical fiber from the first optical fiber at the first and second wavelengths;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the at least one light sensor, the processor configured to receive at least one signal from the at least one light sensor, the at least one signal being dependent upon an amount of absorption of light by blood in the container disposed between the second transmitting end of the first optical fiber and the first receiving end of the second optical fiber, the processor configured to determine a concentration of hemoglobin in the container depending on the at least one signal.