AUTOLOG ^™

Autotransfusion System

The autoLog^™ Autotransfusion System is a simple, yet sophisticated device that provides autologous blood during surgical procedures by processing blood collected from a surgical site to produce washed red blood cells for return to the patient at a later time.

• The autoLog ^™ System is designed to consistently produce a blood product with a hematocrit of 50% or greater.
• The autoLog ^™ System's unique bowl design packs blood tightly to produce an increased hematocrit and allows blood to enter at a moderate G-force to minimize hemolysis. The end product remains consistent and is independent of the type of surgical procedure.
• The variable speed wash process, coupled with the unique design of the bowl, promotes the effective removal of free-plasma hemoglobin, residual anticoagulant agents, activated platelets, white blood cells, and activated clotting factors of 90% or greater in accordance with aaBB guidelines.⁶

• The autoLog ^™ Autotransfusion System's fully automated design consistently produces a high-quality end product.
• The system's preset operating program completes one processing cycle (fill, wash, empty) in approximately three minutes and returns approximately 135 ml of blood to the holding bag.
• The autoLog ^™ System uses a two-stage filling process capable of first stage fill speed of 600 ml/min followed by a second stage fill speed at either 600 or 250 ml/min based on incoming volume.
• While a processing cycle can be initiated manually, the autoLog ^™ System has a unique self-start feature.

Why Use Autologous Red Blood Cell Salvage?

Autologous red blood cell salvage is a safe, reliable, cost effective method of returning red blood cells back to patients. The autologous red cell salvage procedure maximizes patient safety, overall cost savings, and blood quality. It:

• Eliminates the risk of clerical errors during blood handling.
• Minimizes costs associated with the use of allogenic blood transfusion.
• Minimizes the use of banked blood products, thereby reducing the risk for transmission of blood-borne diseases, lowering the risk of transfusion reaction, and providing an option for those with religious objections to transfusions.
• Addresses the issue of blood shortages. Blood shortages are common and will become more acute in the next few years. ⁴
• Provides red blood cells with normal ^2,3 DPG levels and viability superior to preoperative autologous blood donation. ⁵

REFERENCES

1. LeGrand, Richard. American Red Cross letter to customers, January 2003, available at: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/profess/legrand.pdf 2. American Red Cross. American Red Cross Statement on Blood Pricing. May 24,2001 press release available at http://www.redcross.org/press/biomed/bm_pr/010524price.htm 3. American Red Cross. Blood Banking Community Issues National Appeal for immediate Donations. January 12, 2004 press release available at: http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_114_2164,00.html 4. Speiss, BD. Transfusion and outcome in heart surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2002; 74(4):986-7. 5. Hannon, Timothy. Medtronic autoLog ^TM Autotransfusion System: Comparative Wash Quality and Clinical Assessment. Technical Concept Paper published by Medtronic. June 1999. 6. Guidance for Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration. First Edition. American Association of Blood Banks Sec. 5.1.2, p. 21.