Oxygen depletion devices and methods for removing oxygen from red blood cells

1. An oxygen depletion device comprising:

a cartridge;

a plurality of hollow fibers extending within said cartridge from an entrance to an exit thereof, wherein the hollow fibers are formed of an oxygen-permeable membrane and are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells; and

an amount of an oxygen scavenger packed within the cartridge and contiguous to and in between the plurality of hollow fibers, wherein said red blood cells are passaged within said hollow fibers.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said hollow fibers are substantially parallel and longitudinally disposed within the cartridge from said entrance to said exit.

3. The oxygen depletion device of claim 1 , wherein said oxygen scavenger is ferrous iron.

4. The oxygen depletion device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from an oxygen-permeable material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, polvvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polysulfone.

5. The oxygen depletion device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from a hydrophobic polymer.

6. The oxygen depletion device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from an inorganic ceramic.

7. The oxygen depletion device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are configured as a linear spiral, a longitudinal spiral, or a coil.

8. An oxygen depletion device comprising:

a receptacle of a solid material having an inlet and an outlet adapted to receiving and expelling a flushing gas;

a plurality of hollow fibers extending within the receptacle from an entrance to an exit thereof; wherein the hollow fibers are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells, wherein said red blood cells are passaged within said hollow fibers.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the hollow fibers are substantially parallel and longitudinally disposed within the cartridge from said entrance to said exit.

10. The device of claim 8 , further including a source of flushing gas in communication with said inlet of said receptacle.

11. A method for removing oxygen from red blood cells comprising:

passing red blood cells through an oxygen depletion device, wherein the device comprises:

a cartridge;

a plurality of hollow fibers extending within said cartridge from an entrance to an exit thereof, wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells; and

an amount of an oxygen scavenger packed within said cartridge and contiguous to and in between said plurality of hollow fibers, wherein said red blood cells are passaged within said hollow fibers.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said oxygen scavenger is ferrous iron.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from an oxygen-permeable material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, polvvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polysulfone.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from a hydrophobic polymer.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are formed from an inorganic ceramic.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of hollow fibers are configured as a linear spiral, a longitudinal spiral, or a coil.

17. A method for removing oxygen from red blood cells comprising:

passing the red blood cells through an oxygen depletion device, wherein the device comprises:

a receptacle of a solid material having an inlet and an outlet adapted to receiving and expelling a flushing gas;

a plurality of hollow fibers extending within the receptacle from an entrance to an exit thereof, wherein the hollow fibers are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells, wherein said red blood cells are passaged within said hollow fibers.