Blood Transfusion Set

A blood transfusion set, also known as a blood administration set or blood giving set, is a sterile, single-use medical device employed for the intravenous, gravity-controlled administration of blood or blood products (like red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) from a container to a patient’s vascular system.

Key components and their functions

• Spike and Protector: The pointed spike is used to puncture the blood bag or container, while the protector ensures sterility and prevents contamination until use.
• Drip Chamber: A transparent, sac-like chamber where blood drips first. It allows visual monitoring of the flow rate and helps prevent air from entering the tubing.
• Blood Filter: Located inside the drip chamber, this component filters out blood clots, small clumps of platelets, and white blood cells that may have formed during collection and storage, according to MSF. Standard filters have a pore size of 170-260 microns.
• Tubing: A flexible, transparent tube, typically made of medical-grade PVC, that acts as the primary passageway for the blood.
• Flow Regulator (Roller Clamp): Attached to the tubing, this device regulates the blood flow rate by compressing or opening the tube. Rolling the clamp up increases flow, and rolling it down decreases or stops it.
• Injection Port (or Y-Site): A self-sealing port on the tubing for administering additional medications or fluids without disconnecting the entire set.
• Luer Lock Connector: The end of the tubing that securely connects to the intravenous catheter, minimizing leakage or disconnection.
• Hypodermic Needle (or Catheter): The final component, inserted into the patient’s vein, facilitating the actual connection between the transfusion set and the patient’s bloodstream.

Types of blood transfusion filters

Beyond the standard 170-260 micron filters, specialized blood filters are available for specific needs:

• Leukocyte-Depletion Filters: These remove 80-95% of white blood cells (leukocytes) to minimize immune reactions.
• Microaggregate Filters: Used to remove fibrin, platelets, and white blood cells (microaggregates) for transfusions where only red blood cells are needed. These filters have a 40-micron pore size. They can also be used to filter out cytomegalovirus from blood before transfusion.

In essence, a blood transfusion set is a meticulously designed system that ensures the safe, controlled, and sterile delivery of blood products to patients.