Systems and methods for treating biological fluids
Inventors
Church, Daniel • BRINGMANN, Peter • CASTRO, Grace • LU, Thea • REINHARDT, Shelby • SANTA MARIA, Felicia • Stassinopoulos, Adonis
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11554185-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided are systems and methods for treating a biological fluid, e.g., to inactivate pathogens.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for treating a biological fluid in a treatment chamber configured to receive the biological fluid. The system includes a first array of light sources positioned to illuminate the biological fluid, and one or more sensors configured to detect light in the treatment chamber. Control circuitry with memory, one or more processors, and one or more programs causes the processor to illuminate the biological fluid in admixture with a pathogen inactivation compound by controlling the first array of light sources.
Illumination is performed for a duration and at an intensity sufficient to inactivate a pathogen in the biological fluid when present. The first light source channel emits ultraviolet light having a first peak wavelength from about 315 nm to about 350 nm, and each light source emits light with a full-width half-maximum spectral bandwidth of less than 20 nanometers. The approach is directed to photochemical pathogen inactivation using narrowband ultraviolet light source channels.
Sensors in or associated with the treatment chamber detect light and other parameters, including presence and/or properties of the biological fluid, fluid depth, and temperature, and the control circuitry uses sensor feedback to adjust treatment profile parameters. The treatment profile parameters include light intensity and duration, and can include spectral selections and emission geometry, including strobing or modulated outputs. Optional structural and operational components are described, including barrier and/or light filters, agitation and/or heat exchange, depth sensing, and treatment-profile-based feedback control to maintain treatment uniformity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. Its core coverage centers on a treatment chamber with a narrowband ultraviolet light-source array, light detection, and control circuitry that illuminates a biological fluid mixed with a pathogen inactivation compound for a duration and intensity sufficient to inactivate a pathogen. Three inventive features are common to the independent claim coverage, with dependent claims adding spectral subranges, quantitative targets, compound specificity, and chamber/control refinements.
Narrowband ultraviolet light-source channel for pathogen inactivation
A first array of light sources in a treatment chamber emitting ultraviolet light with a first peak wavelength from about 315 nm to about 350 nm, where each light source has a full-width half-maximum spectral bandwidth of less than 20 nanometers.
Light sensing in the treatment chamber
One or more sensors configured to detect light in the treatment chamber.
Control circuitry to illuminate a biological fluid with a pathogen inactivation compound
Control circuitry including memory, one or more processors, and one or more programs that cause the processors to illuminate a biological fluid in admixture with a pathogen inactivation compound by controlling the first array of light sources to transmit light for a duration and at an intensity sufficient to inactivate a pathogen in the biological fluid when present.
The claim coverage requires a treatment chamber with light detection and a narrowband ultraviolet light-source array, together with control circuitry that drives illumination of a biological fluid mixed with a pathogen inactivation compound for sufficient pathogen inactivation. Dependent claims further refine ultraviolet peak-wavelength subranges, add quantified pathogen reduction and residual compound targets, specify psoralen as the pathogen inactivation compound, and add barrier and per-light-source intensity/duration adjustment features.
Stated Advantages
Inactivates a pathogen in the biological fluid when present.
Improves photoconversion of a psoralen-type pathogen inactivation compound to reduce residual compound and photoproducts.
Enables biological-fluid quality suitable for infusion as described.
Supports pathogen reduction and inactivation, including at least 1 log reduction in specified embodiments.
Reduces residual pathogen inactivation compound concentration, including maintaining 5 μM or less of the compound after illumination in specified embodiments.
Documented Applications
Treatment of biological fluids containing pathogens, including blood products, using ultraviolet photochemical treatment.
Providing biological-fluid output suitable for infusion as described, without further residual-compound removal in the context stated.
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