SELECTIVE CYTOPHERESIS DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS THEREOF
The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.
1 . A method for processing a platelet contained within a body fluid, the method comprising:
(a) sequestering extracorporeally an activated platelet; and
(b) treating the platelet with a calcium chelator to inhibit release of a pro-inflammatory substance or to deactivate the platelet.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the platelet is sequestered for a time sufficient to inhibit the release of the pro-inflammatory substance or to deactivate the platelet.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the platelet is sequestered for a prolonged period of time.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the platelet is sequestered for at least one hour.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of returning the platelet produced in step (b) back to a subject.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the calcium chelator comprises citrate.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator for less than an hour.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator from 1 to 24 hours.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed using a device defining a passageway comprising a region configured to sequester the platelet.
10 . A method for treating a subject at risk of developing or having an inflammatory condition, the method comprising:
(a) sequestering extracorporeally an activated platelet from the subject; and
(b) treating the platelet with a calcium chelator to reduce the risk of developing inflammation associated with the inflammatory condition or to alleviate inflammation associated with the inflammatory condition.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the calcium chelator comprises citrate.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the inflammatory condition is acute renal failure.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the inflammatory condition is end stage renal disease.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of returning the platelet produced in step (b) back to the subject.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the inflammatory condition is acute renal failure.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the inflammatory condition is end stage renal disease.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of returning the platelet produced in step (b) back to the subject.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the inflammatory condition is selected from the group consisting of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), cardiopulmonary bypass syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, allograft rejection, asthma, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, cardiorenal syndrome, hepatorenal syndrome, and acute organ failure from ischemic reperfusion injury to myocardium, central nervous system, liver, kidney, or pancreas.
19 . The method of claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator for less than an hour.
20 . The method of claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator from 1 to 24 hours.
21 . The method of claim 10 , wherein step (a) is performed using a device defining a passageway comprising a region configured to sequester the platelet.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the region configured to sequester the platelet is configured so that shear force within the region is less than about 1000 dynes/cm 2 .
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein step (a) comprises passing a body fluid through the passageway at a flow rate less than about 500 mL/minute.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein step (a) comprises passing a body fluid through the passageway at a flow rate less than about 500 mL/minute.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the calcium chelator is infused into the passageway.
26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the region configured to sequester the platelet comprises a membrane.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the membrane is porous.
28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the membrane has a surface area greater than about 0.2 m 2 .
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator for less than an hour.
30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein step (b) comprises exposing the platelet to the calcium chelator from 1 to 24 hours.