Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract

A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.

Development of a Multifunctional Detoxifying Unit for Liver Failure Patients

“…In addition, as we expected, lower plasma flow rates in effort to prevent excessive hemoconcentration translated into a drop in depurative efficacy. Since plasma recirculation in the secondary plasma circuit, as occurs in other methods [16,17], does not occur during PSAF liver dialysis, it was also obviously limited to increase plasma flow rates without increasing blood flow rates. Therefore, plasma purified in the secondary circuit was returned to the arterial chamber upstream of the PSA, and this provided adequate blood and plasma flow rates, acceptable pressure conditions and consequently, stable operation.…”

Bioactive Bead Type Cellulosic Adsorbent for Blood Purification

“…The pathogenic substances in the blood of patients are adsorbed by the adsorbent via hydrophilic (electro-static forces) or hydrophobic interactions. Macroporous resins usually show high adsorption capacities especially for the removal of high molecular weight or "middle molecules" toxins [7][8][9]. …”

Detection of Fluorescently Labeled Microparticles in Blood

“…The microsphere-based detoxifi cation system (MDS) [6,7] we developed, is a tool consisting of two circuits connected through a hollow-fi ber membrane fi lter: the primary circuit is the same as that used in membranebased detoxifi cation systems such as plasma separation, and the secondary circuit is a closed loop driven by a highvelocity centrifugal or other pump generating high fl ow rates ( fi g. 1 ). Microspheric adsorber particles circulate suspended in the secondary fi ltrate circuit and generate a transmembrane fi ltrate fl ow with highly effi cient adsorption characteristics.…”