Biocompatible devices, systems, and methods for reducing levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in the blood

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.

1 . A method for treating an individual experiencing a condition on a continuum from early sepsis to septic shock comprising the steps of 
 drawing the blood from the circulatory system of the individual for return to the circulatory system, and    removing cytokines or other species of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators from the blood by bringing the blood into contact with an adsorption medium sized to selectively adsorb cytokines or other species of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators from the blood, the adsorption medium being characterized by a Biocompatibility Index of not greater than 14.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1   wherein the Biocompatibility Index is not greater than 7.    
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1   wherein the adsorption medium comprises a polymeric material.    
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3   wherein the polymeric material comprises particles formed from a porous hydrophobic divinylbenzene copolymer having a surface modified to include surface exposed functional groups selected from the group of polymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate,N-vinylpyrrolidine.