In a method embodiment, an example method includes attaching a balloon-filling apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet and at least four outlets. The apparatus further includes at least four branch assemblies coupled to the fitting. Each branch assembly includes: a tube extending from the fitting at a respective one of the at least four outlets; a balloon comprising a neck disposed around an end of the tube; and a fastener attaching the neck of the balloon to the end of the tube and configured to automatically seal the balloon upon detachment of the balloon from the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method also includes detaching one or more of the balloons of the balloon-filling apparatus using a force. The force is generated at least in part by one or more of: gravity of the balloons and the water contained therein; and an upward acceleration manually applied to the balloon-filling apparatus.

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a fitting configured to couple to a pressurized supply of fluid. At least three branch assemblies extend from the fitting. Each branch assembly includes a tube coupled to the fitting at a first end, a balloon comprising a neck portion having a second end of the tube inserted therethrough, and a fastener removably coupling the balloon to the tube. The fastener is configured to permit fluid from the pressurized supply of fluid to pass through the tube and into the balloon and to automatically restrict the fluid from exiting the balloon through the neck portion upon decoupling the balloon and fastener from the tube.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Methods and apparatus collecting blood from patients and managing blood donations are provided, which may include any number of features. One feature is a blood collection device configured to collect blood from a patient and periodically transmit blood collection data from the device to a control system. Another feature is a system and method for updating firmware on a plurality of blood collection devices. In one embodiment, a software interface with a blood collection control can be used to specify a blood collection protocol, and the blood collection protocol can be then transmitted to one or more blood collection devices.

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

An apparatus and method for collecting a predetermined amount of blood or other fluid using an automated sampling system is provided.

An apparatus for sampling, preparing and collecting biomedical samples for a subsequent diagnostic, clinical and/or therapeutic use in a closed sterile environment is provided.

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

A fluid collection device for a postpartum hemorrhage monitoring system includes a cup comprising an open proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior extending between the open proximal and distal ends. The interior is configured to receive a fluid. The cup comprises an anterior surface configured for placement adjacent an anterior vaginal wall of a patient and a posterior surface configured for placement adjacent a posterior vaginal wall of a patient. A ring extends radially exteriorly from the open proximal end of the cup and is incrementally expandable and contractible. A stem having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, extends between the open distal end of the cup and is configured to receive the bodily fluid from the interior of the cup. The ring is movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration upon receiving a fluid within the ring.