Thimerosal Removal Device

• US 20100276373A1
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mgp Biotechnologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mgp Biotechnologies, LLC
• Inventors: Kanner, Richard Clinton, Acey, Roger A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,440,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/679
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/759 for removing preservatives, e.g. heavy metal compositions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/28 Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3145 Filters incorporated in syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/43509 from crustaceans

Abstract

A device for the removal of heavy metals and heavy metal complexes, such as thimerosal, from medications is provided wherein the device comprises a solid support having at least one substantially purified metallothionein protein associated therewith.

Claims

1. A device for the removal of thimerosal from a medication to be administered to a subject comprising:

a solid support having associated therewith at least one substantially purified metallothionein protein, wherein said at least one substantially purified metallothionein protein binds said thimerosal from said medication resulting in a substantially thimerosal-free medication.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said medication is selected from the group consisting of vaccines, immunogenic compositions, liquid pharmaceutical compositions, colloidal pharmaceutical compositions, suspension pharmaceutical compositions, aerosols and dry powders.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of filters, membranes, nanoparticles, beads, solid support particulates, and polymer coatings.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said at least one substantially pure metallothionein protein is associated with a plurality of beads or nanoparticles.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said solid support comprises a biocompatible polymer.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of fluorinated polymers, polyolefins, polystyrene, substituted polystyrenes, polysulfones, polyesters, polyacrylates, polycarbonates;

vinyl polymers, copolymers of butadiene and styrene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, nylon and mixtures thereof.

7. The device of claim 3 wherein said solid support is a filter.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one substantially purified metallothionein (MT) protein, or a portion thereof, is from an organism selected from the group consisting of mammals, fish, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, reptiles, nematodes, grains, plants, yeast, and fungi.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said crustacean is brine shrimp (Artemia).

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said MT protein has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2, SEQ ID NO. 4, SEQ ID NO. 11, SEQ ID NO. 12, SEQ ID NO. 13, SEQ ID NO. 14, SEQ ID NO. 15, SEQ ID NO. 16, SEQ ID NO. 17, SEQ ID NO. 18, SEQ ID NO. 19, SEQ ID NO. 20, SEQ ID NO. 21, SEQ ID NO. 21 and SEQ ID NO. 23.

11. A method of removing thimerosal from a medication to be administered to a subject comprising:

contacting a thimerosal-containing medication with at least one substantially purified metallothionein protein associated with a support; and

separating the support having thimerosal bound thereto from thimerosal free medication.

12. A system for removing thimerosal from a medication to be administered to a subject comprising:

a device having at least one metallothionein protein associated therewith;

wherein passage of a medication through said device results in binding of said thimerosal to said metallothionein protein and a substantially thimerosal-free medication