Red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days at reduced temperatures. In order to minimize the logistical complexities of blood banking fresh and cryopreserved RBCs, these methods have been developed for preparing lyophilized RBCs with a prolonged shelf-life for infusion after simple rehydration. This process allows for the retention of cell membrane elasticity and partial deformability, oxygen binding with native affinity, and presents minimal thrombogenicity to platelets.

File Number: 00-0086 

Other Information:

State of Development
pre-clinical