Apparatus and method for selectively separating amino acids and defined proteins in blood

• US 4,061,141 A
• Filed: 02/04/1972
• Issued: 12/06/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fritz Victor Hasselblad, Viktor Holger Hyden
• Original Assignee: Fritz Victor Hasselblad, Viktor Holger Hyden
• Inventors: Hyden, Viktor Holger, Hasselblad, Fritz Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/223,577
• Time in Patent Office: 2,132 Days
• Field of Search: 128/213, 128/214 R, 128/334 R, 128/DIG. 3, 3/1, 23/258.5, 210/22, 210/23, 210/321, 195/1.7, 195/1.8, 195/127, 195/66, 195/DIG. 11, 424/101, 424/94
• US Class Current: 604/6.06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3687 Chemical treatment A61M1/3675 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/03 Heart-lung

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus and method for selectively separating amino acids and defined proteins from the blood by enzymatic degradation, to obtain a therapeutic effect. The apparatus includes a closed system in which is mounted a membrane like structure presenting a wide surface area on which has been fixed the enzyme or enzymes necessary to effect the separation process together with heparin to render the surface non-thrombogenous. The method of selectively separating the amino acids and proteins resides in causing blood to pass from an artery in the patient over the active surface containing the enzyme and heparin and returning the blood to the patient via another blood vessel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively separating by enzymatic degradation amino acids and defined proteins from blood for therapeutic purposes, comprising walls forming a chamber, means positioned within said chamber forming at least one laterally closed and impervious passage therethrough, an inlet to said flow passage, an outlet from said flow passage a first tube for connecting said inlet to a human artery, a second tube for connecting said outlet to a human vein so that a closed system is provided for withdrawing blood from an artery, passing it through the flow passage in said chamber and returning it to a vein, a carrier material disposed within said flow passage for direct contact with the blood flowing therethrough and an enzyme suitable for separating one of an amino acid or a defined protein from blood fixed to said carrier material in an insolubilized manner for forming an active substance which effects a selective separation of at least one of the particular substances from the blood.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is collagen, prepared with formaldehyde and phenol, to render it more durable and suitable for the intended purpose.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is a polymeric material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is a copolymeric material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is in the form of a hose and is provided with an external sheath adapted to prevent dialysis and to serve as a safeguard in the event of a break in the inner hose.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material with its active forms a single member witin said flow passage.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material with its active surface is made up of a plurality of separate sections, and spacing members arranged to fix said sections of said carrier material in spaced relationship.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the active surface of said carrier material is flat.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the active surface of said carrier material presents a folded, undulating surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the active surface of said carrier material is tubular in shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the active surface of said carrier material is helical in shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is a fibrous material and is positioned in said flow passage where the selective separation process takes place.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said carrier material is a substantially open cellular structure and is positioned in said flow passage where the selective separation process takes place.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by a blood pump arranged for pumping blood through the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that said carrier material including its active surface is incorporated into said pump in the path of the flow of blood therethrough.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, characterized in that said pump comprises a pump diaphragm formed by said carrier material with its active surface.

17. A method of selectively separating by enzymatic degradation amino acids and defined proteins from blood for therapeutic purpoes, comprising the steps of removing blood from a human artery, conveying the blood through a laterally closed impervious flow passage, directly contacting the blood within the flow passage with an active surface containing an enzyme insolubilized thereon and suitable for separating one of an amino acid or defined protein from the blood with the enzyme remaining in the active surface, and returning the blood to a human vein.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17, characterized therein by pumping the blood to be treated for passing it through the flow passage and returning it to the human vein.