Method and device for extracting and/or collecting blood from placenta and/or umbilical cord

Abstract

A device for extracting and collecting blood from a delivered placenta comprising a compartment to contain and support a delivered placenta and umbilical cord. The compartment includes a flexible membrane which can be displaced (preferably under the influence of a fluid (preferably gas) pressure differential between the compartment side and non compartment side of the membrane) to impart onto the placenta a pressure to encourage the displacement of fluid carried by the placenta towards the umbilical cord. The compartment includes at least one outlet opening via which the umbilical cord can extend (preferably in a sealed manner) to allow the flexible membrane pressure induced flow of fluid carried by the placenta to displace from the compartment for external to the compartment collection of the fluid.