A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORKING BLOOD COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS WITHIN A BLOOD COLLECTION FACILITY

摘要

Abstract of Disclosure A system for networking the blood component collection facility is disclosed. The facility includes a plurality of independently operable blood component collection instruments. At least one of the blood component collection instrument is an existing collection instrument having a first communication protocol. The system comprises a system computer, a communication conduit, a second communication protocol, and a protocol converter. The system computer comprises a memory and a code segment which defines at least a portion of a blood component collection process. The communication conduit operably connects each of the plurality of blood component collection instruments to the system computer. The second communication protocol facilitates communication on the communication conduit between the system computer and each of the collection instruments. The protocol converter operably connects to the communication conduit between the existing collection instrument and the system computer, and converts the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol for communicating between the existing blood component collection instrument and the system computer.