METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING VIRAL LOAD OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS
First Claim
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1. A method for producing a sustained reduction in the viral load of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood from a patient undergoing hemodialysis comprising:
- (a) identifying a patient infected with HCV in need of hemodialysis;
(b) removing blood from said patient;
(c) transferring said blood or a portion thereof to a lectin affinity device comprising;
(i) a processing chamber configured to receive said blood or portion thereof, said chamber having lectin disposed therein such that said lectin binds HCV viral particles in said blood or portion thereof, and wherein said device is configured to retain said lectin and bound HCV viral particles in said chamber, and(ii) a porous membrane configured to permit passage of viral particles through the pores of said membrane such that said viral particles contact said lectin and said membrane excludes substantially all blood cells from passing through said pores, such that said blood cells do not contact said lectin,wherein said transferring further comprises transferring said blood or portion thereof to said chamber such that said HCV viral particles contact said lectin and are bound thereto;
(d) removing said blood or portion thereof from said chamber, and(e) returning said blood or portion thereof to said patient.
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Abstract
The present technology relates to methods and systems for the removal of pathogens and fragments thereof in hemodialysis patients. In particular, methods and systems are described where lectins can be used to remove the Hepatitis C virus and fragments thereof in hemodialysis patients, and to provide a sustained reduction in viral load.
4 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for producing a sustained reduction in the viral load of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood from a patient undergoing hemodialysis comprising:
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(a) identifying a patient infected with HCV in need of hemodialysis; (b) removing blood from said patient; (c) transferring said blood or a portion thereof to a lectin affinity device comprising; (i) a processing chamber configured to receive said blood or portion thereof, said chamber having lectin disposed therein such that said lectin binds HCV viral particles in said blood or portion thereof, and wherein said device is configured to retain said lectin and bound HCV viral particles in said chamber, and (ii) a porous membrane configured to permit passage of viral particles through the pores of said membrane such that said viral particles contact said lectin and said membrane excludes substantially all blood cells from passing through said pores, such that said blood cells do not contact said lectin, wherein said transferring further comprises transferring said blood or portion thereof to said chamber such that said HCV viral particles contact said lectin and are bound thereto; (d) removing said blood or portion thereof from said chamber, and (e) returning said blood or portion thereof to said patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for producing a sustained reduction in the viral load of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood from a hemodialysis patient infected with HVC comprising:
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a lectin affinity device comprising a processing chamber having lectin disposed within said processing chamber, wherein said lectin binds viral particles in said blood and traps said viral particles in said processing chamber, and a porous membrane configured to permit passage of viral particles through the pores of said membrane such that said viral particles contact said lectin and said membrane excludes substantially all blood cells from passing through said pores, such that said blood cells do not contact said lectin; and a hemodialysis apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An improved hemodialysis method for patient'"'"'s undergoing hemodialysis who are infected with HCV, said improvement comprising passing said patient'"'"'s blood through an lectin affinity device during said hemodialysis, wherein said lectin affinity device comprises a processing chamber having lectin disposed within said processing chamber, wherein said lectin binds HCV viral particles in said blood, and a porous membrane configured to permit passage of viral particles through the pores of said membrane such that said viral particles contact said lectin and said membrane excludes substantially all blood cells from passing through said pores, such that said blood cells do not contact said lectin, and wherein said device is configured to retain said lectin and bound HCV viral particles in said processing chamber.
Specification