Lyophilization
Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for lyophilizing, storing, and transfusing materials are described. In embodiments, the materials may include whole blood or a component of whole blood such as plasma.
1. A method of lyophilizing material, the method comprising:
pooling liquid in a container to create pooled liquid;
adding a photosensitizer to the pooled liquid;
exposing the pooled liquid with the photosensitizer to a light source to create a pathogen reduced liquid;
lyophilizing the pathogen reduced liquid, wherein the lyophilizing comprises:
cooling the pathogen reduced liquid to freeze a liquid component to create a solid;
subjecting the solid to a first pressure, which is less than atmospheric pressure; and
sublimating a portion of the solid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photosensitizer comprises riboflavin.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the light source generates light with a wavelength in an ultraviolet range.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises human plasma.