Blood Indicator Panel

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid. A blood indicator panel (BIP) device is provided for rapid blood volume measurement (in mls.) in a fluid (e.g., a collected surgical fluid). An RBC flocculant (e.g., polyDADMAC) may be used to induce more rapid sedimentation of red blood cells from the fluid. A series of markings is provided on one side of the BIP, each marking corresponding to a volume of blood (in milliliters). The markings are calculated by use of a formula: Vb=Vm/(Hct×1.2), wherein Hct is an average blood hematocrit, and 1.2 is an RBC packing ratio value for a conventional 1,200 ml waste collection canister (1.2 alternatively referenced as “η”). The BIP does not employ centrifugation, electronic image transmission or analysis, is temperature independent, and is accurate to about +/−10%.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.