BLOOD COLLECTION SYSTEM

A blood metering device for determining an accurate target fill volume of blood in a collection vessel is disclosed herein. The blood metering device includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a blood flow conduit defined in the housing for providing a continuous conduit from the inlet to the outlet, and a valve disposed in the blood flow conduit. A valve operation is controlled by a valve actuator for moving the valve from the open position to the closed position. The valve actuator is responsive to a measured gas pressure in a collection vessel in fluid communication with the outlet of the housing where the valve is moved to the closed position when the measured gas pressure is approximately equal to a target gas pressure. A method for determining an accurate target fill volume of blood in a collection vessel is also disclosed herein.