During the apheresis procedure, all but the needed blood components are returned to the donor. Back to Top 2. Depending on their illness or injury, patients need different types of blood components. A cell separator called a centrifuge is used to separate the platelets from the remainder of the blood components. Back to Top 3.
Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding.
When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets collect at the site of injury and temporarily repair the tear. They then activate substances in plasma which form a clot and allow the wound to heal. Back to Top 4. After you donate whole blood, the unit is separated into platelets, red cells and plasma in our laboratory. Six to ten whole blood donations must be separated and pooled to provide a single platelet transfusion.