Uninterrupted flow pump apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A method for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid, comrising:
- providing a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid disposed within an outer chamber, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;
providing means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber; and
changing the pressure with in said space around said sealed flexible chamber such that fluid is displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber in a uniform and controlled manner, wherein said method does not substantially damage said biological fluid.
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Abstract
This invention describes a method for pumping or delivering fluids utilizing a flexible vessel subject to controlled pressures within another pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be sourced with positive and/or negative (e.g., vacuum) pressure.
298 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid, comrising:
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providing a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid disposed within an outer chamber, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;
providing means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber; and
changing the pressure with in said space around said sealed flexible chamber such that fluid is displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber in a uniform and controlled manner, wherein said method does not substantially damage said biological fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
collecting a buffy-coat fraction of said biological fluid;
adding a photoactivatable drug to said buffy-coat fraction;
exposing said buffy-coat fraction to light energy; and
reinfusing said exposed buffy-coat fraction.
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20. The method of claim 19, wherein said buffy-coat fraction comprises white blood cells.
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21. The method of claim 19, wherein said photoactivatable drug is 8-methoxypsoralen.
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22. The method of claim 19, wherein said light energy comprises ultraviolet A.
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23. The method of claim 8, wherein said monitoring further comprises monitoring through use of a load cell.
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24. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for continuously increasing or decreasing pressure comprises a pressure reservoir.
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25. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for continuously increasing or decreasing pressure comprises a pressure valve.
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31. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
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32. The method of claim 31, wherein said inflammatory bowel disease comprises ulcerative colitis.
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33. The method of claim 31, wherein said inflammatory bowel disease comprises Crohn'"'"'s disease.
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34. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is used to treat graft vs. host disease.
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35. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is used to immunomodulate a patient.
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26. A method for pumping or delivering biological fluids, comprising:
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moving said biological fluids using an apparatus for providing a substantially stable flow of said biological fluids, wherein said apparatus comprises;
an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber; and
means for increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said method does not substantially damage said biological fluid. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
collecting a buffy-coat faction of said biological fluid;
adding a photoactivatable drug to said buffy-coat fraction;
exposing said buffy-coat fraction to light energy; and
reinfusing said exposed buffy-coat fraction.
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28. The method of claim 27, wherein said buffy coat fraction comprises white blood cells.
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29. The method of claim 27, wherein said photoactivatable drug is 8-methoxypsoralen.
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30. The method of claim 27 wherein said light energy comprises ultraviolet A.
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36. A method for delivering fluids on conjunction with a pliotopheresis process comprising:
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moving said fluids using an apparatus for providing a uniform and controlled flow of said fluids, wherein said apparatus comprises;
an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber; and
means for increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said photopheresis process comprises;
collecting a buffy-coat fraction of said biological fluid;
adding a photoactivatable drug to said buffy-coat fraction;
exposing said buffy-coat fraction to light energy; and
reinfusing said exposed buffy-coat fraction.
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Specification