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Hoxworth Blood Center is revolutionizing blood processing with Reveos

headshot of Ashley Smith By Ashley Smith
6 minute read April 16, 2025

Hoxworth Blood Center is on the cutting edge of blood donation with a state-of-the-art machine used to enhance the efficiency of separating components of blood and saving more lives in the Cincinnati region.

Revolutionizing with Reveos

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, is proud to announce a new, innovative and efficient method in blood component processing. The Reveos machine uses cutting-edge technology to provide Hoxworth with more tools in treating local cancer patients with the precious components of blood donation. The Reveos Automated Blood Processing System is the first FDA-approved whole blood automation device in the United States that processes whole blood into platelets, plasma and more, in a single centrifugation cycle.

How the Reveos System works 

Reveos Whole Blood Processing System uses a centrifuge to separate components of blood

Lab workers with the Reveos machine

A platelet donation can take 90 minutes or longer using an automated machine. Those platelets are precious and must be kept at a certain temperature and in constant motion until they are transfused to a local patient. Platelets also have a shorter shelf life of five to seven days. Platelet donors are given back their red cells and plasma, while Hoxworth only keeps the platelets.

"Platelets have very specific needs and storage parameters to stay active and most effective during treatment,” explained Jennifer O’Connor, Hoxworth's division director of labs. “The Reveos device makes it possible to separate platelets from whole blood donations in just one step to then be able to process them and treat more patients." 

Because of the difference in storage requirements of whole blood versus platelets, the platelets from whole blood transfusions are not as effective and don’t survive long after transfusion. The Reveos device easily separates any whole blood donation into four parts:

  •        Red Cells: Used to treat patients with anemia, undergoing surgery, experiencing trauma or dealing with medical conditions that affect red blood cell production.
  •        Plasma: Rich in clotting factors and antibodies, plasma is used to treat patients with clotting disorders, liver diseases or those who have undergone massive blood loss.
  •        Platelets: Essential for blood clotting, platelets are often used in the treatment of cancer patients, individuals undergoing chemotherapy and those with certain blood disorders.
  •        White Cells: Also called leukocytes.

The Reveos device estimates it will take four to six whole blood donations to form one platelet product for transfusion. This increases the ability to treat those patients who need platelets in a more efficient manner and in an increased capacity.

Donation process doesn’t change

At select Neighborhood Donor Centers, Hoxworth has begun collecting whole blood donations (the most common type of blood donation with about 400 donations a day) to be processed using Reveos. The donor shouldn’t notice much of a difference. However, now their single donation can be used in multiple ways.

On the cutting edge, making history

Hoxworth will be the first blood center in the region to use Reveos and only the third in the country to implement this new way of processing blood. This new technology was recently approved by the FDA, and Hoxworth was invited to be an early implementer.

Terumo, the manufacturer of Reveos, says Hoxworth was very well-prepared for this new technology and gave praise for the testing and implementation process that has been ongoing for months.

"This is a direct reflection of the ability for our Hoxworth employees to work well as a team and exceed expectations,” said O’Connor. “We know this will only lead to continued success with cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of our local hospitals and patients."

Hoxworth lab workers with the Reveos machine behind them

Hoxworth lab workers with the Reveos machine behind them

Why now and how will it be implemented?

The most common use for platelets is to treat cancer patients, and the demand has never been higher. With more cancers diagnosed through medical research, more patients will use platelets in the course of their treatment. Platelet donors are able to give every 14 days because their red cells and plasma are returned to the donor. However, the process takes 90 minutes or longer, and a lot of donors do not have time to schedule that appointment regularly. With Reveos, Hoxworth can now use the platelets that are naturally in a whole blood donation in a more productive way.

Be a part of history

After Reveos separates the blood components, the lab workers continue the processing system in the lab

After Reveos separates the blood components, the lab workers continue the processing system

At Hoxworth, we’re proud to be one of the first blood centers in the nation to use the revolutionary Reveos machine — a new way to give that has the power to change lives like never before. With just one donation, you can help save multiple lives in multiple ways.

Your gift stays right here in our community, helping patients in more than 30 local hospitals across the Cincinnati region. It’s not just a donation; it’s a lifeline with a lasting impact. Join us. Be part of this incredible moment in Hoxworth’s history. Be part of something that truly matters — today and always.

SCHEDULE DONATION

About Hoxworth Blood Center

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, was founded in 1938 and serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects more than 100,000 units of blood from local donors to help save the lives of local patients in Greater Cincinnati hospitals. Hoxworth Blood Center: Saving Lives Close to Home. Hoxworth.org

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