Systems and methods using multiple solvents for removal of lipids from fluids

• US 7,364,658 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
• Original Assignee: Lipid Sciences, Inc.
• Inventors: Shimon, Jeffrey J., Garcia, Pablo E., Chavez, Bryan, Hegwer, Eric, Malhotra, Ripudaman, Low, Thomas P., Bomberger, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Menon; Krishnan S.
• Application Number:
  US11/737,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20070181485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 210/257.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/34 Filtering material out of the blood by passing it through a membrane, i.e. hemofiltration or diafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3403 Regulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/342 Adding solutions to the blood, e.g. substitution solutions for preventing coagulation A61M1/3672
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3472 with treatment of the filtrate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3482 by filtrating the filtrate using another cross-flow filter, e.g. a membrane filter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3486 Biological, chemical treatment, e.g. chemical precipitation; treatment by absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3496 Plasmapheresis; Leucopheresis; Lymphopheresis A61M1/3472 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3616 Batch-type treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3693 using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0456 Lipoprotein
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/203 Bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/206 Viruses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/362 Pervaporation

Abstract

This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Claims

1. A device for removing at least one lipid from fluid containing lipids or lipid-containing organisms, comprising:

at least one in-line static mixer for contacting the fluid with a first extraction solvent, forming a first mixture comprising the fluid and the first extraction solvent, and dissolving at least a portion of the at least one lipid in the first extraction solvent;

a first solvent removal device for contacting the first mixture with a second extraction solvent, removing at least a portion of the first extraction solvent, and forming a second mixture comprising the first extraction solvent, the second extraction solvent and the fluid, wherein the first solvent removal device comprises at least one vortexer; and

a second solvent removal device for removing at least a portion of the second extraction solvent from the second mixture.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first solvent removal device further comprises at least one hollow fiber contactor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first solvent removal device further comprises at least one in-line static-mixer.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second solvent removal device comprises at least one hollow fiber contactor.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the second solvent removal device comprises at least two hollow fiber contactors coupled together in parallel.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the second solvent removal device comprises at least two hollow fiber contactors coupled together in series.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid source for supplying the fluid to the at least one in-line static mixer.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a centrifuge coupled to the at least one in-line static mixer.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a condenser located downstream of the centrifuge.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one in-line static mixer comprises two in-line static mixers.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one vortexer comprises a continuous vortexer.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one vortexer comprises a batch vortexer.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the second solvent removal device comprises a recirculating system that recirculates the second mixture until a level of the second solvent is below a predetermined threshold.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that detects a level of the first extraction solvent, a level of the second extraction solvent, or both.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the second solvent removal device is configured to contact the second mixture with a gas or mineral oil to remove the portion of the second extraction solvent.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a gas filtering loop configured to remove the second extraction solvent from the gas.