Cord blood and placenta collection kit

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved kit for the collection of umbilical cord blood and placental blood, and collection of the placenta from which such blood is obtained. The kit improves upon existing kits in that it provides for improved user convenience, provides for the collection of the placenta itself, and better maintains the internal temperature of the container in which the collected blood and placenta are shipped to a blood bank or registry. The invention further provides a method of collecting umbilical cord and placental blood, and the placenta from which such blood is obtained, comprising using the kit described herein.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A bag for the collection of umbilical cord and placental blood, comprising a collection bag and a plurality of satellite bags, each of which is smaller in volume than said collection bag.  
   
   
       30 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said collection bag has the capacity to hold about 250 ml of blood.  
   
   
       31 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein each of said satellite bags is joined to said collection bag by plastic tubing.  
   
   
       32 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said collection bag has a capacity to hold about 250 ml to about 300 ml of liquid.  
   
   
       33 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said bag is large enough to collect all blood from a single placenta and umbilical cord.  
   
   
       34 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said satellite bags have a volume of about 50 ml.  
   
   
       35 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said bag comprises an anticoagulant.  
   
   
       36 . The bag of  claim 34 , wherein said anticoagulant is heparin.  
   
   
       37 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said collection bag and said plurality of satellite bags are joined such that liquid in the collection bag flows directly into one of said plurality of satellite bags.  
   
   
       38 . The bag of  claim 29 , wherein said collection bag is joined to said plurality of satellite bags only by tubing.