Apparatus and system for measuring volume of blood loss

A blood loss measurement device for determining an amount of blood within a fluid sample from a patient, comprising:

• a container having a vertical axis, the container configured for receiving fluid containing blood from a patient during a surgical procedure;
• at least one light source in an operative position within the container configured to generate light at a plurality of wavelengths within the container;
• at least one light detector to detect at least a first portion of light from the at least one light source at the first wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths and at least a second portion at a second wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths that is different than the first wavelength, the at least one light detector producing a first signal indicative of a first absorbance of light of the fluid sample and a second signal indicative of a second absorbance of light of the fluid sample;
• a plurality of optical fibers comprising:
• a first optical fiber having a first end coupled to the light source and a second end opposite the first end held in the container proximate a bottom of the container;
• and
• a second optical fiber having a first end held within the container proximate a bottom of the container and positioned a distance from the second end of the first optical fiber so that light emanating from the first optical fiber is a least partially received by the second optical fiber and a second end coupled to the at least one light sensor, an amount of light received by the second optical fiber being detected by the at least one light sensor to detect the 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 detector, the processor receiving the first and second signals from the at least one light detector, the at least one signal being dependent upon an amount of absorption of light by blood in the container disposed between the first optical fiber and second optical fibers, the processor repeatedly determining a concentration of hemoglobin in the container depending on the first and second signals as fluid from the patient is added to the fluid sample in the container.