APPARATUS FOR THE RAPID THAWING AND FREEZING OF BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS

摘要

An apparatus (110) for freezing and thawing a bag (10) of blood or blood components includes a means (136) for holding the bag (10) of frozen blood or blood components and a means (118) for creating a flow of air (120, 180). Depending upon whether the apparatus (110) is being used to thaw or to freeze the bag (10) of blood or blood components, the flow of air (120, 180) is either heated or refrigerated. The flow of air (180) is directed to impinge upon the surface of the bag (10) to freeze or to thaw the contents thereof. The apparatus further includes a means (140) for measuring the temperature of the frozen blood or blood components. In the disclosed embodiment, the flow of heated or refrigerated air (180) is directed at the bag (10) in such a manner as to cause a turbulent airflow at the air/bag interface, thereby to increase the heat transfer between the bag (10) and the air. Also in the disclosed embodiment, a control system (158) automatically monitors the detected temperature and terminates the freezing or thawing procedure when the bag (10) contents reach a predetermined temperature.