Method for reducing the number of unwanted molecules in blood
AssigneeAdvanced Extravascular Systems, Inc.
InventorDuke K Bristow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method, and resulting product, for the removal of unwanted molecules from a host's blood using a one-step procedure. The unwanted molecules may be anti-A blood protein and/or anti-B blood protein antibodies that would otherwise cause host rejection of transplanted organs or tissues from a source having a different ABO blood type. The unwanted molecules may also be excess antibodies, or virions, present in a diseased host.
Claims23
A method for reducing the number of unwanted antibodies in a subject's blood, the method comprising:
- a) removing blood from the subject;
- b) passing the blood along an enclosed pathway;
- wherein said pathway comprises one or more semi-permeable hollow fibers with one or more membranes having surfaces positioned substantially perpendicular to the length of the one or more hollow fibers and antigens specific for the unwanted antibodies immobilized on the one or more membranes,
- wherein by passing the blood along the pathway the unwanted antibodies are sequestered by the immobilized antigens, thereby treating the blood;
- and
- c) returning the treated blood to the internal circulation of said subject,
- wherein the returned treated blood has a reduced number of unwanted antibodies compared to before treatment.
A method for reducing the number of unwanted antigens in a subject's blood, the method comprising:
- a) removing blood from the subject;
- b) treating said blood by passing the blood along an enclosed pathway;
- wherein said pathway comprises one or more semi-permeable hollow fibers with one or more membranes having surfaces positioned substantially perpendicular to the length of the one or more hollow fibers and antibodies specific for the unwanted antigens immobilized on the one or more membranes,
- wherein by passing the blood along the pathway the unwanted antigens are sequestered by the immobilized antibodies;
- and
- c) returning the treated blood to the internal circulation of said subject,
- wherein the returned treated blood has a reduced number of unwanted antigens compared to before treatment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.