Transfusion registry and exchange network

Abstract

Disclosed is a registry for candidate transfusion donors, which invokes an inventory management policy to create and actively manage lists of candidate donors in order to minimize imbalances between demand and supply across multiple regions and across multiple categories of donors and recipients. Together with a genotyping laboratory, the registry does targeted recruitment of prospective donors who are typed for a set of genetic markers relating to clinically relevant antigens including mutations of Human Erythrocyte Antigens (HEA), genetic variants of Rh, and possibly additional antigens such as HLA and HPA. The registry monitors incoming demand for transfusion antigen genotypes, preferably stratify the demand into a set of categories representing stable subpopulations, and will apply strategies, disclosed herein, to tune the composition of candidate donor lists to match the demand, thereby avoiding excess, and unnecessary, typing of candidate donors.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of operating an entity which provides identities of candidate blood donors selected to have particular antigen bloodtypes determined to be compatible to those of specific recipients to entities seeking such particular antigen bloodtypes, the method comprising:
 monitoring the number of requests received per period of operation for said particular bloodtypes; and   periodically performing targeted recruiting and transfusion antigen genotyping of specific numbers of candidate donors within a particular sub-population of the candidate donor population, so as to minimize the probability of failing to fulfill a request for a particular antigen bloodtype.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the total cost of targeted recruiting and genotyping of prospective candidate donors for every request fulfilled is minimized. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein operations are performed so that the number of candidate donors remains constant. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein operations are performed in a manner ensuring—an increase in the number of genotyped candidate donors by reinvestment of proceeds under a condition of maintaining zero profit. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the antigen bloodtypes represent clinically significant phenotypes. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27  wherein compatibility is achieved when there is an exact match between donor and recipient antigens bloodtypes. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein compatibility is achieved when the donor blood does not contain any antigens not expressed by the recipient. 
     
     
         34 . An organization comprising:
 a first entity which provides identities of donors selected to have particular antigen bloodtypes as determined by testing and analysis of genetic determinants compatible to those of specific recipients, the entity engaged in managing a list of candidate donors so as to balance the number of prospective candidate donors tested and analyzed with the anticipated average number of requests for particular antigen donor bloodtypes received;   second entities engaged in collecting blood from donors and processing, storing and distributing blood products derived from donors identified by the first entity; and wherein the first entity charges the second entities for the identities of specific donors and participates in the proceeds from the sale by said second entities of blood products derived from said specific donors.   
     
     
         35 . The organization of  claim 34  wherein the first entity and the second entities interact through the internet, thereby permitting the placement of requests by second entities to first entities; 
     
     
         36 . The organization of  claim 34  wherein the first entity has separate functional components or affiliated entities for monitoring and analyzing requests received and for recruiting and testing prospective donors in accordance with its management policy.