CYTOPHERESIS CARTRIDGES AND USE THEREOF
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.
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)