'A method of reducing the population in action of a blood constituent in the blood supply of a human individual and corresponding installation'.

摘要

A method and system are disclosed for externally treating human blood, with the objective of reducing the functioning lymphocyte population in the blood system of a human subject. Blood is withdrawn from the subject and passed through an ultraviolet radiation field in the presence of from about 1 nanogram to 100 micrograms per ml of blood, of a dissolved photoactive agent capable of forming photo-adducts with lymphocytic- DNA, mobile cortisone receptors or antigen sites to thereby effect covalent bonding between the photoactive agent and the same, thereby inhibiting the metabolic processes of the lymphocytes or complexing them; and thereupon returning the irradiated blood to the subject. The withdrawn blood may be formed into an extracorporeal stream 18 and flowed through a treatment station 24 whereat the irradiation is effected, as for example by exposure to UV radiation source 30; and such flow process may be conducted on a continuous basis. At least portions of the treated blood may then be separated, e.g. by a continuous centrifuge 44, before returning 14 the remaining diverted blood to the subject. IMAGE