Patients undergoing heart surgery at a Teesside hospital are to benefit from a hi-tech piece of medical equipment.
It is hoped the device will reduce blood transfusions
The heart unit at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital is using the device, which collects patients' blood and cleans it so it can be reinfused.
The unit helped US company Haemonetics develop the new device and is the first to use it.
Around 25% of patients need blood transfusions after heart operations and it means their own blood can be used.
The device collects patients' blood in the 24 hours after major heart surgery, cleans it and makes it ready to be infused back into the patient.
Clinical director of cardiothoracic surgery Andrew Owens said: "This is a very exciting development and this new technique will have massive benefits for heart patients.
"We are delighted to be at the forefront of developing world class techniques and are looking forward to using the system."
Mr Owens said the technology behind the device has been around for around 20 to 30 years but this is the first use of this specific machine and the unit will help evaluate its effectiveness.
He said he hoped it would cut down on the reliance on blood transfusions, reduce pressure on the system and should cut costs.