Systems and methods for eradicating contaminants using photoactive materials in fluids like blood
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsDaniel F. Bischof, Ludwig Wolf, Jr., John T. Foley, William R. Bratten
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for treating a fluid carrying a biological contaminant to which a photoactive material has been bound include a treatment device that defines a flow passage with a gap. The system and method operate to establish a flow of fluid from the inlet end of the gap to the outlet end of the gap. The system and method expose the fluid, as it transits the gap, to a source of radiation that activates the photoactive material bound to the contaminant. The system and method also mix the fluid as it flows within the gap.
Claims25
A device for treating a fluid carrying a contaminant to which a photoactive material has been bound, the material being activated by exposure to radiation within a prescribed wavelenght range to eradicate the contaminant, the device comprising
- an outer wall defining an interior area, the outer wall being essentially transparent to radiation within the prescribed wavelenght to pass the radiation into the interior area,
- an inner wall located within the interior area spaced from the outer wall,
- a treatment chamber formed in the interior area between the outer wall and the inner wall for receiving the fluid to be treated, the treatment chamber having an outer region adjacent the outer wall and an inner region adjacent the inner wall, and
- circulation means rotating the inner and outer walls relative to each other to create vortices in the fluid present within the treatment chamber that circulate the contaminant within the treatment chamber from the inner region toward the outer region for exposure to the radiation passing through the outer wall.
A system for treating a fluid carrying a contaminant to which a photoactive material has been bound, the material being activated by exposure to radiation within a prescribed wavelenght range to eradicate the contaminant, the system comprising
- a treatment device including
- an outer housing wall defining an interior area, the outer wall being essentially transparent to radiation within the prescribed wavelenght to pass the radiation into the interior area,
- an inner wall in the interior area spaced from the outer wall, the space between the inner and outer wall defining a treatment chamber for receiving the fluid to be treated for exposure to radiation passing through the outer wall, and
- circulation means for rotating the inner and outer walls relative to each other to create vortices that circulate the contaminant present within the treatment chamber from the inner wall toward the outer wall, and
- means for emitting radiation within the prescribed wavelenght range through the outer housing wall and into the treatment chamber to activate the photoactive material bound to the contaminant.
A method for treating a fluid carrying a contaminant to which a photoactive material has been bound, the material being activated by exposure to radiation within a prescribed wavelenght range to eradicate the contaminant, the method comprising the steps of
- conveying the fluid through a gap formed between an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall being essentially transparent to radiation within the prescribed wavelength, and
- exposing the fluid, as it transits the gap, to a source of radiation that passes through the outer wall while rotating the inner and outer walls relative to each other to create vortices that circulate the contaminant within the gap toward the outer wall for exposure to the radiation.
A method for treating a fluid containing a blood component and a biological contaminant comprising the steps of
- adding a photoactive material to the fluid that binds itself to the contaminant, the material being activated by exposure to radiation within a prescribed wavelength range to eradicate the contaminant,
- conveying the fluid through a gap formed between an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall being essentially transparent to radiation within the prescribed wavelength, and
- exposing the fluid, as it transits the gap, to a source of radiation that passes through the outer wall while rotating the inner and outer walls relative to each other to create vortices that circulate the contaminant within the gap toward the outer wall for exposure to the radiation.
A method according to claim 28
- wherein, during the radiation exposure step, the inner wall is rotated relative to the outer wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.