Abstract: An in-line liquid filtration device useable for filtration of blood, blood products or the like includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, at least one filter element disposed in the housing between the inlet port and outlet port so as to filter liquid which flows into the filtration device via the inlet port. The filter element divides the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The device allows gases to vent the filtration device through the outlet port. The means may include a flow deflector within the first chamber and/or the second chamber. The means may also include a channel, preferably spiral, within either the first chamber and/or second chamber. The filtration device allows air therein to be purged downstream into either an air collecting bag or into the blood receiving bag without the manipulation of the height of the filtration device or the blood receiving bag.

Abstract: A liquid filtration device useable for removing leukocytes from blood is disclosed. Located in-line on the upstream side of the filtration device is a vent device which is configured to allow liquid being filtered to flow therethrough and creates a pressure head sufficient to prevent air from entering the vent until the fluid flow therethrough stops and thereby allows air to automatically enter the vent to allow the air to drain liquid through the filtration device. The vent minimizes air entering the filtration system during the flow of liquid flow therethrough while automatically allowing air to enter the system and thereby drain the system when the flow of fluid stops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out affinity purification of a ligate. The method comprising, (a) providing a ligate containing liquid to a first side of at least one porous hollow fiber membrane with a ligand immobilized thereto that binds and separates the ligate from the liquid, (b) withdrawing a first portion of the liquid from the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (c) recirculating the first portion of liquid to the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) until a majority of the liquid has flowed through the porous hollow fiber membrane, and (e) providing an elution solution to one side of the porous hollow fiber membrane under a pressure sufficient to cause the elution solution to flow into and through the membrane to effect disassociation of any ligate-ligand bonds wherein any ligate bound to the ligand is eluted with the elution solution.

Abstract: Method for inactivating non-enveloped viruses using a viricide-potentiating agent. In a preferred embodiment, the method may be used to inactivate non-enveloped viruses present within a sample of whole blood or a blood product and comprises (a) adding to the blood sample a photoactivatable viricide, such as a psoralen, hypericin, methylene blue, toluidine blue or the like, which, when activated, is effective in inactivating enveloped viruses; (b) adding to the blood sample a viricide-potentiating chemical agent that increases the sensitivity of non-enveloped viruses to the activated viricide; and (c) activating the photoactivatable viricide.

Abstract: Filter devices for simultaneously removing leukocytes and methylene blue from whole blood or blood fractions are disclosed. One type of device comprises (1) a housing surrounding (2) activated carbon and (3) a mechanically stable polymeric material which may optionally be modified to attach a ligand for leukocytes. General methods for removing leukocytes and methylene blue from blood and plasma are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel sorbents and methods for removing small hydrophobic and amphophilic molecules from biological fluids were disclosed. The methods and materials were particularly useful for removing viral inactivating agents from blood and blood fractions. The novel sorbents comprise a porous mineral oxide matrix having its interior porous volume substantially filled with a crosslinked hydrophobic polymer network.

Abstract: Novel sorbents and methods for removing small hydrophobic and amphophilic molecules from biological fluids were disclosed. The methods and materials were particularly useful for removing viral inactivating agents from blood and blood fractions. The novel sorbents comprise a porous mineral oxide matrix having its interior porous volume substantially filled with a crosslinked hydrophobic polymer network.

Abstract: A liquid filtration device useable for removing leukocytes from blood contains a first chamber which is in fluid flow relationship with a second chamber. Filtration elements separate the first chamber from the second chamber so that liquid flowing from the first chamber is filtered thereby prior to entry into the second chamber. A passage leads from the second chamber into the first chamber and a hydrophobic filter may be used to prevent liquid from the first chamber from flowing through the passage into the second chamber while allowing air to flow therethrough. An outlet is located in the second chamber, preferably at the bottom thereof. A second outlet may be located within the second chamber and may be placed in fluid flow relationship therewith by a conduit or the like.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polymer such as polysulfone or polyethersulfone is modified to contain an increased number of functionalizable chain ends such as by treating with an alkali hydroxide to provide hydroxyl groups. A linker is covalently bonded to a chain end of the polymer and a macromolecule is covalently bonded to the linker. A ligand may be covalently bonded to the macromolecule. The macromolecule can be a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer or a biologically active species. The hydrophobic polymer is preferably in the form of a microporous membrane. By the use of a four-component dope composition, substantially isotropic microporous structures in the form of flat sheets or hollow fibers are produced. An improved spinnerette assembly is provided for the production of hollow fibers.

Abstract: A filter and a hollow-fiber or flat-sheet membrane for removing hemoglobin from whole blood or blood fractions are disclosed. The filter comprises a laid textile web which has been modified to attach a ligand for hemoglobin. The membrane comprises a polyethersulfone membrane that has been similarly modified. Methods for removing hemoglobin, cellular components and debris from blood are also disclosed.