Simplified regeneration of apheresis columns

An apheresis device for extracorporeal removal of CRP from blood comprising:

• an extracorporeal circulation system for blood,
• a means for generation and regulation of a flow of blood in the extracorporeal circulation system,
• a cell separator for separation of the blood into blood plasma and cellular components,
• two apheresis columns for affinity chromatographic removal of CRP from blood,
• wherein the extracorporeal circulation system comprises an arterial line to the cell separator, a first plasma line from the cell separator to a first apheresis column, a second plasma line for CRP-depleted blood plasma from the first apheresis column to a point, a cell line for the separated cellular components from the cell separator to the point and a venous line starting from the point,
• a central processing unit for controlling the apheresis device,
• at least one connection line for connection of at least one liquid container to the arterial line or the cell separator,
• characterized in that
• a bypass line branches off from the first plasma line and runs into the second plasma line, and the bypass line comprises a second apheresis column,
• a waste line goes off directly from the first apheresis column or from the second plasma line in the direction of flow before the junction of the bypass line, and
• at least one regeneration line which goes off from the at least one liquid container or from the at least one connection line and leads to the first plasma line in the direction of flow at or after the branch of the bypass line or runs directly into the first apheresis column, and
• wherein a second apheresis column is connected in parallel to the first apheresis column and both apheresis columns cannot be used simultaneously for CRP removal.