Cytopheresis cartridges and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cytopheretic cartridge for use in treating and/or preventing inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to a cytopheretic cartridge that includes a housing and, disposed within the housing, a solid support capable of sequestering activated leukocytes and/or platelets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for treating activated leukocytes, activated platelets, or both activated leukocytes and activated platelets, comprising:
 (a) a rigid housing defining an inner volume (IV), a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, wherein the inner volume is in fluid flow communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port; and   (b) a solid support disposed within the housing and defining a fluid contacting surface with a surface area (SA) capable of sequestering an activated leukocyte and/or an activated platelet if present in a body fluid entering the housing via the fluid inlet port, wherein the SA/IV ratio is greater than 150 cm −1  and the solid support is disposed within the housing at a packing density in the range from 20% to 65%.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the SA/IV ratio is in the range from 150 cm −1  to 1,500 cm −1 . 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the SA/IV ratio is in the range from 300 cm −1  to 1,000 cm −1 . 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the SA/IV ratio is in the range from 400 cm −1  to 800 cm −1 . 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the SA/IV ratio is in the range from 200 cm −1  to 600 cm −1 . 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the solid support is a membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the membrane is porous. 
     
     
         8 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the SA is in the range of from 0.1 m 2  to 5.0 m 2 . 
     
     
         15 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port are dimensioned to permit a flow rate through the housing in a range from 10 cm 3 /minute to 8,000 cm 3 /minute. 
     
     
         24 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for processing an activated leukocyte, an activated platelet, or both an activated leukocyte and an activated platelet contained within a body fluid, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a cartridge comprising
 (i) a rigid housing defining an inner volume (IV), a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, wherein the inner volume is in fluid flow communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port; and 
 (ii) a solid support disposed within the housing and defining a fluid contacting surface with a surface area (SA) capable of sequestering an activated leukocyte and/or an activated platelet if present in a body fluid entering the housing via the fluid inlet port, wherein the SA/IV ratio is greater than 80 cm −1 ; and 
   (b) introducing a body fluid from a subject into the housing via the fluid inlet port under conditions that permit sequestration of an activated leukocyte and/or an activated platelet on the fluid contacting surface of the solid support.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising
 (c) treating the leukocyte and/or platelet sequestered in step (b) to inhibit release of a pro-inflammatory substance or to deactivate the leukocyte and/or the platelet.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the leukocyte or the platelet is sequestered for a time sufficient to inhibit the release of the pro-inflammatory substance or to deactivate the leukocyte or the platelet. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the leukocyte and/or the platelet is sequestered for at least one minute. 
     
     
         37 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A cartridge for treating activated leukocytes, activated platelets, or both activated leukocytes and activated platelets, comprising:
 (a) a rigid housing defining an inner volume (IV), a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, wherein the inner volume is in fluid flow communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port; and   (b) a solid support disposed within the housing and defining a fluid contacting surface with a surface area (SA) capable of sequestering an activated leukocyte and/or an activated platelet if present in a body fluid entering the housing via the fluid inlet port, wherein the SA is greater than 2.6 m 2 .   
     
     
         63 . The cartridge of  claim 62 , wherein the SA is in the range from 3.0 m 2  to 10.0 m 2 . 
     
     
         64 . The cartridge of  claim 63 , wherein the SA is in the range from 3.0 m 2  to 5.0 m 2 . 
     
     
         65 . The cartridge of  claim 62 , wherein the solid support is a membrane. 
     
     
         66 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . The cartridge of  claim 62 , wherein the IV is less than 300 cm 3 . 
     
     
         72 . The cartridge of  claim 71 , wherein the IV is less than 150 cm 3 . 
     
     
         73 . The cartridge of  claim 72 , wherein the IV is less than 100 cm 3 . 
     
     
         74 - 111 . (canceled)