Irradiation apparatus for inactivating pathogens and/or leukocytes in a biological fluid and process

(canceled)

(canceled)

A process for inactivating pathogens and/or leukocytes in a biological fluid, in an irradiation apparatus comprising a casing, a support member for carrying at least one irradiation bag containing the biological fluid, a light source comprising two banks of light disposed above and below the support member, and an agitation system for moving the support member, wherein the process comprises at least the following steps:

• a flexible irradiation bag containing the biological fluid is placed on the support member, where the irradiation bag is carried by the support member lying flat and horizontally on the support member and in an uncompressed state, the light source generates UVC light in the wavelength of from 200 to 270 nm to inactivate pathogens and/or leukocytes, the agitation system moves the support member in an orbital path with a predetermined amplitude and rotational frequency of about 108 rpm and above suitable to expose the whole biological fluid to UVC, whereby the irradiation bag is irradiated under orbital agitation, and the irradiation bag is filled with at most 30% of the volume capacity of the irradiation bag and the thickness of the biological fluid in the irradiation bag during agitation is intermittently smaller than about 5 mm.