Non-Invasive blood quality parameter measurement system.

Blood banking critically influences transfusion success and healthcare costs. To ensure the quality of stored red blood cell (RBC) products, current practice requires destructive sampling and laboratory testing of only a limited number of units. This work presents a device development framework; preliminary feasibility is demonstrated, while full validation is ongoing. Such methods (e.g., complete blood count, flow cytometry, or culture assays) depend on expendable reagents and skilled personnel, and they inevitably lead to the disposal of tested units (compromising bag integrity). Consequently, donated blood that could save a life may be lost during routine quality checks. This project proposes an innovative, optically based instrument to address these challenges. By employing Raman spectroscopy, the device will non-invasively assess critical blood quality parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, hemolysis ratio, leukocyte count, etc.) for every blood bag at all stages (collection, storage, and pre-transfusion) without any bag puncture or consumables, and will deliver results within minutes. A working prototype will be developed and calibrated against standard laboratory measurements. If successful, this system will increase transfusion safety, reduce waste and costs, and advance understanding of blood storage effects.