Systems and Methods Using Multiple Solvents for the Removal of Lipids from Fluids

Abstract

This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A method for removing lipids from a fluid containing lipids or from lipid-containing organisms, the method comprising:
 supplying a first extraction solvent from a first extraction solvent source;   mixing the fluid and the first extraction solvent in at least one hollow fiber contactor to form a first mixture;   passing at least a portion of the first mixture to a first solvent removal device;   supplying a second extraction solvent from a second extraction solvent source;   mixing the second extraction solvent and the portion of the first mixture in the first solvent removal device to form a second mixture; and   passing the second mixture to a second solvent removal device.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising separating the first mixture into three layers comprising a first layer of a portion of the first mixture with at least some lipids therein, a second layer of free lipids, and a third layer of a portion of the first extraction solvent with dissolved lipids. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the first layer is the portion of the first mixture passed to the first solvent removal device. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein passing the second mixture to a second solvent removal device comprises contacting the second mixture with a gas or mineral oil using at least one hollow fiber contactor to remove any remaining solvents. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein mixing the fluid and the first extraction solvent in at least one hollow fiber contactor to form a first mixture further comprises dissolving at least a portion of the lipids. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein mixing the second extraction solvent and the portion of the first mixture to form a second mixture further comprises dissolving at least a portion of the first extraction solvent and additional lipids. 
     
     
         77 . A method for removing lipids from a fluid containing lipids or from lipid-containing organisms, the method comprising:
 supplying a first extraction solvent from a first extraction solvent source;   mixing the fluid and the first extraction solvent to form a first mixture;   passing at least a portion of the first mixture to at least one hollow fiber contactor;   supplying a second extraction solvent from a second extraction solvent source;   mixing the second extraction solvent and a portion of the first mixture in the at least one hollow fiber contactor to form a second mixture; and   passing the second mixture to a solvent removal device.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising separating the first mixture into three layers comprising a first layer of a portion of the first mixture with at least some lipids therein, a second layer of free lipids, and a third layer of a portion of the first extraction solvent with dissolved lipids. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the first layer is the portion of the first mixture passed to the at least one hollow fiber contactor. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein passing the second mixture to a solvent removal device comprises contacting the second mixture with a gas or mineral oil using at least one hollow fiber contactor to remove any remaining solvents. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein mixing the fluid and the first extraction solvent to form a first mixture further comprises dissolving at least a portion of the lipids. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein mixing the second extraction solvent and the portion of the first mixture in the at least one hollow fiber contactor to form a second mixture further comprises dissolving at least a portion of the first extraction solvent and additional lipids. 
     
     
         83 . A method for removing lipids from a fluid containing lipids or from lipid-containing organisms, the method comprising:
 (a) supplying a first extraction solvent from a first extraction solvent source;   (b) supplying a second extraction solvent from a second extraction solvent source;   (c) passing the fluid and the first extraction solvent through a first in-line static mixer coupled to an inlet of a vortexer, the vortexer, and a second in-line static mixer coupled to an outlet of the vortexer;   (d) passing the first extraction solvent and fluid through a centrifuge;   (e) mixing the second extraction solvent and the fluid, which includes a residual amount of the first extraction solvent remaining in the fluid after passage through the centrifuge;   (f) passing the fluid with the residual amount of the first extraction solvent and the second extraction solvent through the first in-line static mixer, vortexer, second in-line static mixer, and the centrifuge; and   (g) passing the fluid to a final phase subsystem for removal of any remaining amounts of the first and second extraction solvents.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein passing the second mixture to a final phase subsystem comprises contacting the second mixture with a gas or mineral oil using at least one hollow fiber contactor to remove any remaining amounts of the first and second extraction solvents. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein (c) and (d) further comprise dissolving at least a portion of the lipids. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein (f) further comprises dissolving at least a portion of the residual amount of the first extraction solvent and additional lipids. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the final phase subsystem further comprises a recirculating system configured to recirculate the fluid through the subsystem until solvent levels are below a predetermined threshold.