?:definition
|
-
Substances designed to substitute all or some of the properties of human blood or its components. A whole blood substitute should provide a reasonable amount of oxygen delivery when compared with human red blood cells, should be readily available, and have a long storage life, preferably at room temperature; the substitute should not induce immune responses (i.e., lack of antigenicity) and have a low capability to transmit infections. Most blood substitutes are intended to provide a substitute for the oxygen-carrying capabilities of blood (i.e., red blood cell substitutes); there are also some blood component substances intended as platelet substitutes.
|