Uninterrupted flow pump apparatus and method

• US 7,534,616 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mallinckrodt Critical Care Finance Inc (Mallinckrodt plc), Mallinckrodt Pharma Ip Trading DAC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Therakos, Inc (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Briggs, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nagpaul; Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US10/290,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,384 Days
• Field of Search: 436/16, 422 99-101, 422/106, 422/112, 604/5, 604 601- 602, 604/6.03, 604/6.04, 604/6.08, 604/20, 604/245, 210/782, 210/646, 210/748, 222/70, 222/389
• US Class Current: 436/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/282 Operational modes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3496 Plasmapheresis; Leucopheresis; Lymphopheresis A61M1/3472 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/37 Haemodialysis, haemofiltration or diafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/43 using vacuum at the blood pump, e.g. to accelerate filling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/106664 Blood serum or blood plasma standard or control

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid comprising:

an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber, wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;

said sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and an exterior of said outer chamber;

a receiving container that is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber via a photoactivation element, and is adapted for returning said fluid from said receiving container to said sealed flexible chamber;

a pressure reservoir adapted for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber;

a pressure valve adapted for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said apparatus renders said biological fluid suitable for return to a patient; and

means for monitoring the properties of fluid displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber, wherein said means for monitoring comprises a load cell.

2. An apparatus for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid comprising:

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;

means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber;

means for changing the pressure within 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 apparatus renders said biological fluid suitable for return to a patient; and

a receiving container that is in fluid communication with said sealed flexible chamber via a photoactivation element, and is adapted for returning said fluid from said receiving container to said sealed flexible chamber;

wherein said apparatus is adapted for use in conjunction with a photopheresis process that 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.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said buffy-coat fraction comprises white blood cells.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said photoactivatable drug is 8-methoxyp-soralen.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light energy comprises ultraviolet A.