DISPOSABLE PLASMAPHERESIS DEVICE

THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND CONSTRUCT A FULLY DISPOSABLE PLASMAPHERESIS DEVICE THAT WILL OFFER SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, REDUCTION IN COSTS, AND INCREASED SAFETY FOR BOTH CLINICIANS AND PATIENTS. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF BLOOD SEPARATION USING PACKED COLUMNS HAVE SHOWN POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING CLINICAL PLASMAPHERESIS BY CONCENTRATING RED BLOOD CELLS WITH LOW ENERGY AND WITH A VERY SIMPLE APPARATUS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PHASE I RESEARCH IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY AND APPLY PACKED-BED SEDIMENTATION TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE THE DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR A BLOOD SEPARATION DEVICE THAT WILL OPERATE AT 300 TO 500 GRAVITIES. PACKED-BED SEDIMENTATION ALSO HOLDS PROMISE FOR MORE EFFICIENT DEGLYCEROLIZATION OF BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN FROZEN FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE. WHEN COMBINED WITH A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PRESSURIZED BAG OR AN INFUSION PUMP THAT IS CLINICALLY APPROVED FOR BLOOD TRANSPORT, THIS TECHNIQUE WOULD PROVIDE AN INEXPENSIVE BLOOD SEPARATION AND DELIVERY DEVICE THAT WOULD DECREASE COSTS, IMPROVE SAFETY, AND PROVIDE BETTER PERFORMANCE.