Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) polymerization.

By employing proprietary polymerization agents possessing specific binding groups and by completing diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) polymerization under specific conditions, we have selectively achieved the following objectives: (1) the P50 was adjusted to the physiologic range or left- or right-shifted; (2) the surface of DCLHb was modified ("decorated"); (3) DCLHb was polymerized but not decorated; (4) DCLHb was polymerized and decorated; or (5) DCLHb was site-specifically modified and polymerized.