Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood is often collected in whole but separated into different components prior to the transfusion process. Stringent procedures and protocols are set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) for the collection, testing, preparation, storage, and transport of blood and blood components within the United States. In addition, red blood cells must only be stored in designated blood bank refrigerators.
Blood Storage
According to the AABB, storage of blood must be at 1-6 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the transportation of blood must be confined to temperatures of 1-10 degrees Celsius. Platelets must be stored and transported in temperatures of 20-24 degrees Celsius. Plasma must be stored in temperatures that are less than or equal to -18 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the transportation of plasma must be maintained within a frozen state. The exception is Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) which must be stored and transported in less than or equal to -18 degrees Celsius or less than or equal to -65 degrees.
Phononic and Blood Storage
Phononic currently offers exceptional solid state medical refrigeration for drugs, vaccines, and breast milk. With solid state refrigeration, this means a simpler means towards quieter, energy efficient, high-quality, and cleanroom ready refrigeration. Phononic is currently working to unlock improved blood storage. Phononic excels in temperature stability which is of great importance granted the rigid and strict guidelines for blood storage.