Apparatus, systems and methods for processing and treating a biological fluid with light

• US 20060221330A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cerus Corporation, Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Cimino, George D., Stark, Peter, Hatch, Walter Page, Waldo, Jeffrey M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,601,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/213
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/081 Gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0209 Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0277 Frames constraining or supporting bags, e.g. during freezing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3681 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3686 by removing photoactive agents after irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3227 Units with two or more lamps
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/32 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 : applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/44 : Electric circuits for command of an exposure part G03B7/02

Abstract

Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids. Methods include calibrating (781-785), sensing (770-773) and correcting (774-775) light intensity measurements, and determining the length of treatment (776) to reach a desired illumination dose. A radiometer (460) is equipped with a plurality of light sensors (469) disposed on both sides to measure light intensity in chamber (40) and to provide a reference for calibrating light sensing system (650).

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method of treating a biological fluid in apparatus with a fluid treatment chamber for receiving and a biological fluid, a light source with a plurality of lamps disposed either above or below said fluid treatment chamber to treat the biological fluid with light and a light sensing system with a plurality of light sensors, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing the amount of light emitted by said plurality of lamps with said plurality of light sensors;

developing a plurality of frequency signals from the plurality of light sensors, the frequency of each frequency signal from each of said plurality of light sensors related to the amount of light received by each light sensor;

providing said plurality of frequency signals to a first multiplexer;

multiplexing the plurality of frequency signals with said first multiplexer to provide a first multiplexed frequency signal; and

counting the plurality of frequency signals in said first multiplexed frequency signal with a first counter to provide a first counted output signal representative of the amount of light emitted by said plurality of lamps.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:

providing said plurality of frequency signals from said plurality of light sensors to a second multiplexer;

multiplexing the plurality of frequency signals with said second multiplexer to provide a second multiplexed frequency signal; and

counting the plurality of frequency signals in said second multiplexed frequency signal with a second counter to provide a second counted output signal also representative of the amount of light emitted by said plurality of lamps; and

comparing said first counted output signal with said second counted output signal to confirm the accuracy of said first second counted output signals.

17. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:

providing at least one test signal of a known frequency to said first multiplexer to enable said light sensing system to assess the counting accuracy of said first counter.

18. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:

providing a power level input from a power source to said first multiplexer to provide information about noise that may be present in the power system.

78. The method of claim 15 wherein said light source consists of a plurality of lamps disposed in two arrays, with one array disposed above said fluid treatment chamber and another array disposed below said fluid treatment chamber.

79. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

providing said plurality of frequency signals from said plurality of light sensors to a second multiplexer;

multiplexing the plurality of frequency signals with said second multiplexer to provide a second multiplexed frequency signal; and

counting the plurality of frequency signals in said second multiplexed frequency signal with a second counter to provide a second counted output signal also representative of the amount of light emitted by said plurality of lamps; and

comparing said first counted output signal with said second counted output signal to confirm the accuracy of said first counted output signals.

80. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

providing at least one test signal of a known frequency to said first multiplexer to enable said light sensing system to assess the counting accuracy of said first counter.

81. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

providing a power level input from a power source to said first multiplexer to provide information about noise that may be present in the power system.

19-77. -77. (canceled)