Blood transfusion set, United States, 1933-1943

Blood transfusion set, United States, 1933-1943 Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood, by Baxter Laboratories Inc USA, circa 1938.

A high number of civilian and military casualties required lifesaving blood transfusions during the Second World War (1939-1945). This prompted significant international developments in the transfusion and storage of blood. This blood transfusion set was made by Baxter laboratories in the US. It was adapted for taking blood as well as transfusing it. This removed the need to transfer blood from one container to another for infusion. A needle was attached to the rubber tubing. 10cc of sodium citrate was drawn into the glass jar (called a ‘vacoliter’) by pumping the rubber bulb. Sodium citrate stopped the blood clotting, allowing it be stored for several days. The needle was inserted into a vein in the donor’s arm and blood was drawn into the vacoliter, again by pumping the rubber bulb. It was then ready for transfusion.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Object Number:
1996-278/111
Materials:
glass and rubber
Measurements:
overall: 230 mm x 120 mm
type:
blood transfusion apparatus
credit:
North East Thames Regional Transfusion Centre

Parts

Blood transfusion set, United States, 1933-1943

Blood transfusion set, United States, 1933-1943

Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood, by Baxter Laboratories Inc USA, circa 1938.

Object Number:
1996-278/111/1
type:
blood transfusion apparatus
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Trocar from blood transfusion set

Trocar from blood transfusion set

Trocar from blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood, by Baxter Laboratories Inc USA, circa 1938.

Object Number:
1996-278/111/2
type:
trocar
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum