Patent ID: 8113007
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for receiving, preserving and releasing blood bags in a temperature and closure controlled apparatus having a plurality of cells each capable of containing a single bag and provided with a movement system permitting controlled access to only one cell at a time and with at least an interface for interacting with an user, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the blood bags with coded-identification means which also comprise data concerning the blood contained in the same bag; wherein in a receiving stage, (b) before receiving in said apparatus a bag, obtaining from said coded-identification means the data concerning the blood contained in the bag and storing them in a memory, (c) exchanging the data concerning the blood contained in the bag with a data-management system external to said apparatus, and (d) allowing an user to insert the bag in an empty cell of the plurality; and wherein in a releasing stage, before permitting a specific bag of blood to be drawn from said apparatus, (e) providing the user with a coded request that is separate from an user acknowledgement for interacting with the interface, the code request being univocally associated with such specific bag of blood, the coded request being emitted on a basis of data contained in the external data-management system and referring to such specific bag of blood, (f) checking the coded request, and (g) enabling the movement system of the apparatus to allow the user to draw the specific bag of blood only from the cell containing the bag of blood as specified according to the coded request.