Methods for removing cytokines from blood with surface immobilized polysaccharides

A method for removing at least one adsorbate selected from cytokines, pathogens or toxins from blood, the method comprising:

• providing a device which comprises a container, said container comprising a solid substrate of high surface area comprising:
• i) a first portion of the solid substrate with at least one polysaccharide adsorbent on the surface, wherein said at least one polysaccharide comprises binding sites for the at least one adsorbate;
• and
• ii) a second portion of the solid substrate having on the surface thereof a cationic, positively charged molecule being more thrombogenic than heparin, wherein said substrate is sufficiently solid such that the adsorbate does not pass through pores in said substrate, and wherein the size of interstitial channel spaces within said substrate is large enough to permit the transport of blood cells, and the amount of interstitial surface area within said substrate is such that when flowing blood is in contact with said substrate through said device, said cytokine, pathogen and toxin becoming separated from said blood and the transport of said adsorbates from blood to adsorbent sites on said substrate is primarily by convection transport, such that adsorbate binding does not require the Brownian diffusion of adsorbates into pores within said substrate, wherein blood is flowed through the device to remove at least one adsorbate.