Stabilized hemoglobin solutions

Abstract

A hemoglobin solution packaged in a flexible oxygen-impermeable container system. The container system includes a multi-layer film having at least a product contact layer, an oxygen and moisture barrier layer and an exterior layer. The flexible container system further includes an interface port for filling the flexible container with the hemoglobin solution and delivering the hemoglobin solution. The hemoglobin solution comprises a substantially stroma and tetramer free, cross linked, pyridoxylated hemoglobin solution including preservatives such as ascorbic acid, glycine and dextrose.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A packaged hemoglobin solution comprising a substantially oxygen-free, polymerized hemoglobin solution sealed within a flexible container comprising a polymer film having an oxygen permeability of about 0.05 to about 0.3 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         2 . The hemoglobin solution as in  claim 1  wherein the polymer film has an oxygen permeability of about 0.05 to about 0.17 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         3 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  wherein the polymer film has an oxygen permeability of about 0.15 to about 0.5 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 25° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         4 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  having a methemoglobin concentration of less than 8% for at least one year at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         5 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  wherein the solution comprises an essentially tetramer-free, substantially stroma-free, cross-linked, polymerized, pyridoxylated hemoglobin.  
     
     
         6 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  wherein said polymer film comprises an oxygen barrier layer.  
     
     
         7 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 6  wherein said oxygen barrier layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         8 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  wherein said polymer film comprises at least one polyolefin layer.  
     
     
         9 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 8  wherein said at least one polyolefin layer comprises medium density polyethylene.  
     
     
         10 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 8  wherein said at least one polyolefin layer and said oxygen barrier layer are co-extruded.  
     
     
         11 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 8  wherein the polyolefin layer comprises linear low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         12 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  wherein the polymer film has a water vapor transmission rate of less than about 1.18 g/m 2  per 24 hours at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         13 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  further comprising ascorbic acid in a concentration of about 0.2 to about 1.0 g/L.  
     
     
         14 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 1  further comprising glycine in a concentration of about 1.0 to 3.5 g/L.  
     
     
         15 . A packaged polymerized pyridoxylated hemoglobin solution comprising: 
 a substantially oxygen-free, polymerized, pyridoxylated hemoglobin solution sealed within a flexible polymeric container comprising an oxygen barrier film having at least one layer, wherein said barrier film maintains the methemoglobin concentration of the solution below about 8.0% for at least one year at about 5° C.    
     
     
         16 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 15  where the solution is an essentially tetramer-free, substantially stroma-free, cross-linked, polymerized, pyridoxylated hemoglobin.  
     
     
         17 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 15  further comprising an oxygen scavenger selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, and glycine.  
     
     
         18 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 15  wherein the oxygen barrier layer comprises Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC).  
     
     
         19 . A method of preparing a deoxygenated hemoglobin solution comprising sealing a polymerized hemoglobin solution within a flexible container comprising a polymer film having an oxygen permeability of about 0.05 to about 0.17 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%, wherein the hemoglobin solution comprises at least one oxygen scavenger capable of reducing O 2 .  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the oxygen scavenger is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, dextrose and glycine.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the oxygen scavenger is ascorbic acid in a concentration of about 0.2 to 1.0 g/L.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the oxygen scavenger is glycine in a concentration of about 1.0 to 3.5 g/L.  
     
     
         23 . A packaged hemoglobin solution with a methemoglobin concentration of less than about 8.0% for at least one year comprising a substantially oxygen-free, polymerized, pyridoxylated hemoglobin solution comprising an oxygen scavenger, wherein the solution is sealed within a flexible polymeric container comprising an oxygen barrier film having an oxygen permeability of about 0.15 to about 0.5 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 25° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the oxygen scavenger is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, dextrose and glycine.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the oxygen scavenger is ascorbic acid in a concentration of about 0.2 to 1.0 g/L.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the oxygen scavenger is glycine acid in a concentration of about 1.0 to 3.5 g/L.  
     
     
         27 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 23  wherein the oxygen barrier film is a multilayer film comprising an oxygen barrier layer comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol or PVDC.  
     
     
         28 . The hemoglobin solution of  claim 27  wherein the oxygen barrier film further comprises an inert product contact layer which is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         29 . A packaged hemoglobin solution comprising: 
 a substantially oxygen-free, polymerized hemoglobin solution sealed within a flexible container comprising a polymer film having an oxygen permeability of either (a) about 0.15 to about 0.5 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 25° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%, or (b) about 0.05 to about 0.17 cc/m 2  per 24 hours per atmosphere at about 5° C. and an external relative humidity of about 60%.