SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY REMOVING FREE AND ENTRAINED CONTAMINANTS IN FLUID LIKE BLOOD USING PHOTOACTIVE THERAPY AND CELLULAR SEPARATION TECHNIQUES

摘要

Systems and methods for removing a contaminantfrom a fluid like blood, regardless of whether the contaminantis carried free within the fluid or entrained withincellular matter carried within the fluid. The systems andmethods rely upon photodynamic processes to removefree contaminants from the fluid. The systems and methodsrely upon separation processes to remove the cellularmatter and, with it, the contaminants it entrains from thefluid. The system (10) includes a treatment device (12)that receives the fluid from a source container (14) andconveys the fluid after treatment to a collection container(16). Treatment device (12) includes housing (18) that enclosesan interior chamber (20) which has an inlet (22) forreceiving a blood suspension from source container (14)and an outlet (24) for discharging the blood suspension.Device (12) also comprises first element (26) for separatingcellular components from the blood, and second element(28) which employs photodynamic therapy to removethe free biological contaminants.