Reduction of Contaminants In Blood and Blood Products Using Photosensitizers and Peak Wavelengths of Light

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for inactivation of pathogens in fluids containing blood products. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of a photosensitizer such as riboflavin to the blood product and exposing the fluid to light having a peak wavelength.

1 . A method for inactivating pathogens in a fluid containing plasma comprising; 
 adding a photosensitizer to the fluid to form a mixture, and    exposing the mixture of the fluid and the photosensitizer to light within an approximate range of between 305-313 nm.    
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the step of exposing further comprises exposing the mixture to light having a peak wavelength at 308 nm.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the exposing step further comprises exposing the mixture to pulsed light within the approximate range.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the photosensitizer is an endogenous photosensitizer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the photosensitizer is an isoalloxazine.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the photosensitizer is riboflavin.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 filtering out all light except light in the range of between 305-313 nm.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of filtering comprises filtering out all light in the UV spectrum except light having a peak wavelength of approximately 308 nm.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of filtering comprises filtering out all light in the UV spectrum except light having a peak wavelength of approximately 313 nm.  
     
     
         10 . A treatment chamber for inactivating pathogens in a fluid containing plasma and a photosensitizer comprising: 
 at least one radiation emitting source emitting radiation at a peak wavelength of approximately 308 nm;    a support platform for holding the fluid containing plasma and photosensitizer to be irradiated; and    a control unit for controlling the radiation emitting source.    
     
     
         11 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the radiation emitting source is capable of being pulsed.  
     
     
         12 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the control unit further controls the movement of the support platform.  
     
     
         13 . The treatment chamber of  claim 12  wherein the support platform is capable of movement in multiple directions within the treatment chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the support platform is made of photopermeable material.  
     
     
         15 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the chamber further comprises at least one reflective surface.  
     
     
         16 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the support platform includes a reflective surface.  
     
     
         17 . The treatment chamber of  claim 11  and  claim 12  wherein the control unit further moves the support platform in coordination with the radiation pulses.  
     
     
         18 . The treatment chamber of  claim 10  wherein the radiation emitting source further comprises an array containing a plurality of discrete lights.  
     
     
         19 . The treatment chamber of  claim 18  wherein the array containing a plurality of discrete lights further comprises a plurality of LEDs.  
     
     
         20 . A method of irradiating plasma in a fluid contained within a photopermeable bag comprising the steps of: 
 adding riboflavin to the bag in an amount necessary to inactivate any pathogens contained in the fluid;    exposing the bag containing at least the fluid and riboflavin to a peak wavelength of light; and    mixing the contents of the bag during the exposing step.    
     
     
         21 . A method of irradiating a fluid containing plasma comprising the steps of: 
 adding an amount of photosensitizer to the fluid necessary to inactivate any pathogens contained in the fluid;    exposing the fluid and photosensitizer to light at a wavelength of approximately 308 nm; and    mixing the fluid and photosensitizer during the exposing step to expose the majority of the fluid to the light.    
     
     
         22 . A method of irradiating a blood product comprising the steps of: 
 a) adding an amount of photosensitizer necessary to inactivate any pathogens contained in the blood product;    b) pulsing a radiation source having a peak wavelength of light of approximately 308 nm to expose the blood product and photosensitizer to radiation at the peak wavelength;    c) pulsing the radiation source off to stop exposure of the blood product and photosensitizer to radiation;    d) mixing the blood product and photosensitizer during the step of pulsing the radiation source off; and    e) repeating steps b), c) and d).