摘要 |
An apparatus and method for the rapid infusion of circulatory supportive fluid or blood is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing for retaining the fluid prior to infusion, means for warming the fluid, means for circulating the fluid within the housing, means for inhibiting cellular damage of the fluid, means for permitting oxygenation of the fluid, and means for transfusing the fluid to the patient. The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus as described above, supplying it with circulatory supportive fluid or blood, warming the blood, and infusing it into a patient's vein at a rate of up to 3,000 or more ml. per minute. The invention permits exceedingly rapid blood infusion at a single site, utilizing an apparatus which is easy to set up and very simple to use.
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