Lyophilization of erythrocytes

• US 5,340,592 A
• Filed: 12/30/1991
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: COBE Laboratories Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: COBE Laboratories Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Goodrich, Raymond P. Jr., Williams, Christine M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BENNETT, HENRY A
• Application Number:
  US07/815,893
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 34/5, 34/92, 34/15, 435/2, 435/1, 424/533
• US Class Current: 424/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/18 Erythrocytes haemoglobin A61K38/42

Abstract

A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of red blood cells which comprises the use of solutions including monosaccharide hexoses and pentoses, and/or biocompatible polymers to permit the reconstitution of viable red blood cells.

Claims

1. A process for the lyophilization of viable erythrocytes having a cell membrane, comprising immersing a plurality of viable erythrocytes in a solution which includes a monosaccharide, which is capable of permeating the membrane of the erythrocytes, in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 4 molar;

freezing the solution; and

drying the erythrocytes by sublimation of the water.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the monosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of pentose and hexose.

3. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the monosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of xylose, glucose, ribose, mannose and fructose.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the monosaccharide is present in the solution in a concentration of about 2 molar.

5. A process for the lyophilization of erythrocytes, comprising:

immersing a plurality of erythrocytes in a water solution which includes;

a monosaccharide which is present in the solution in a concentration of from about 0.5 molar up to about 4 molar, and

a polymer having a molecular weight of from about 10 K to about 360 K which is present in a concentration of from about 0.1 millimolar up to saturation in the solution;

freezing the solution; and

drying the erythrocytes by sublimation of the water.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the monosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of pentoses and hexoses.

7. The process of claim 5 wherein the monosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of xylose, glucose, ribose, mannose and fructose.

8. The process of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and dextran.

9. The process of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.