A device to reduce vasovagal syncope in blood donors

Abstract

Vasovagal Syncope (VVS), or the transient loss of consciousness is the most widely recognized reason for syncope. (VVS), is a typical dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. There are various factors which can influence the syncope. The major classification of the syncope are reflex(neurally mediated) syncope, syncope due to orthostatic hypertension, Cardiac syncope(cardiovascular). The vasovagal syncope is the part of reflex (neurally mediated)syncope, there are various cause of vasovagal reactions but in blood donation it is mediated due to the pooling of blood at calf muscles. Such near syncope incidence while donating the blood or after donation hampers the future motivation for blood donation of the donors. In this paper, we developed an electronic massager for calf muscles that can reduce the risk of VVS. It has a programmable circuit which can control the vacuum pump so that it can inflate and deflate the cuffs synergistically. The massager can relax the blood donor thereby reducing apprehension prior to blood donation and thus diverting from the trigger of Phlebotomy and improve peripheral blood circulation thereby improving venous return to the heart. This is expected to reduce the risk of VVS.