Abstract: A microbicidal organic polymer material for use in manufacturing of contact lenses, condoms, surgical sutures and gloves, medical examination devices and similar uses is provided by polymers to which is tightly adsorbed a disinfectant organic dye. Many polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and acrylic polymers show exceptional avidity for a number of microbicides, of acidic, basic, aromatic and/or hydrophobic character such as methylene blue and gentian violet. Consequently, devices constructed of these polymeric materials release no free dye to an aqueous solution. The material is generally a natural or synthetic polymer that releases no particles or fines into wounds or body orifices. Presence of adsorbed disinfectant organic dye allows the polymer to inhibit microbial growth in a number of different situations. Several common microbes are killed by being incubated in the present of an embodiment of the invention which contains a combination of methylene blue and gentian violet.

Abstract: An active coloring concentrate can be prepared from the juice of cranberries and blueberries by treating juice or homogenate with an appropriate binding matrix. Assorted ion exchange resins such as cholestyramine are effective binding matrices, but the currently preferred material is a food grade of cross-linked polyvinyl pyrollidone. The binding matrices are used to concentrate active materials from cranberry and a colored solid is produced. This substance shows anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It can be readily consumed as a therapeutic or nutraceutical, used as a coloring agent, or it can be used topically. Significant amounts of active concentrate can be produced from cranberry presscake which is normally a waste material.

Abstract: Mixtures of iodine source resin with iodine capture resin have been found to provide effective disinfecting of protein containing solutions such as plasma. These mixtures can be used in a chromatographic manner to effectively disinfect solutions while causing minimal damage to labile proteins such as clotting factors. Mixed resins containing equivalent amount of iodine source and iodine capture (50:50) are effective in many cases. If protein damage is still occurring, the ideal mixture may be one containing a lower amount of iodine (e.g. 25:75 or even 5:95). If disinfecting properties prove inadequate, ratios can be increased (e.g. 80:20). Surprisingly, the mixed resins also spare tissue components such as red blood cells and platelets. In some cases mixed resins are even useful in a batch procedure where the resin is removed by centrifugation or filtration at the end of a treatment period.

Abstract: An improved disinfecting air filter that can be used to disinfect air or other gases. The invention can be advantageously used as a standalone to control microorganisms or used with a traditional HEPA filter to effectively control all microorganisms as well as dust particles. The device contains an iodine-donating filter disposed to dispense an effective quantity of iodine vapor into the gas or air stream to be filtered. The iodine laden air then passes through a porous filter of polyvinyl acetal polymer which material has an unusual affinity for iodine and effectively removes it leaving disinfected and iodine-free air or gas.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting blood, blood components, biologicals, such as plasma, serum, cell concentrates, clotting proteins, etc., as well as tissues and organs for transplant comprising preparing and immediately adding active albumin-iodine complex to the material to be disinfected and thereafter using the disinfected material is disclosed. A modified blood bag for use with active albumin-iodine complex had a small satellite bag to contain albumin or active albumin-iodine complex and may also comprise a flow-through cartridge for preparing the active albumin-iodine complex.

Abstract: A method of preparing a novel, sterile, receptor rich-albumin molecule which utilizes the disinfecting properties of iodine by reacting an iodine donating material or solution with a pure preparation of albumin, and preferably subsequently removing the iodine. The resulting iodine has improved binding properties because the production method strips bacterial endotoxin and other previously bound substances from the albumin. The improved binding site capacity of the albumin product is advantageously used as an adjunct in removing toxins by means of exchange transfusions. Because iodine disinfects the albumin typical pasteurization and related additives are unnecessary.

Abstract: A process for removing disinfectant dye such as methylene blue from blood, a liquid blood fraction or other perishable liquid to which disinfectant dye has been added. The process employs a filter of polyvinyl alcohol-acetal copolymer. This material shows exceptional avidity for disinfectant dyes, readily removing them from blood or blood fractions while having little or no effect on subsequent chemicals analysis of the treated material. The filter material is a porous matrix that releases no particles or fines into the blood product, and its white color readily shows the capture of the blue dye. Disinfectant dyes are used to extend the shelf life of platelet concentrates with the dyes being removed by a PVAA filter prior to transfusion into a patient. Also, triglycerides may also be removed from plasma or other solutions by passage through a porous matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol-acetal) copolymer.

Abstract: A process for disinfecting protein solutions operates by flowing the solutions through a bed of iodinated organic polymer that acts as a gel filtration material. The preferred types of gel filtration material is Sephadex brand cross-linked dextrans, either G-25 or A-25 (DEAE modified Sephadex). The various types of cross-linked dextrans are readily iodinated before use by being mixed dry with elemental iodine at an elevated temperature such as 37.degree. C. Sephadex brand cross-linked dextrans can be readily iodinated to 50% weight of iodine to weight of dextrans or more. The preferred level of iodination is 30-40%. Before use the used it is first swelled in aqueous medium and then poured into a chromatographic column. Six ml of swelled 30% iodine Sephadex A-25 can effectively destroy virus in at least one liter of 5% human IgG.

Abstract: A germicidal absorptive material for use in surgical packings, sanitary tampons and similar uses is provided by a sponge-like matrix of polyvinyl alcohol-acetal copolymer to which is tightly bound a germicidal disinfectant dye. Polyvinyl alcohol-acetal polymer shows exceptional avidity for a number of disinfectant dyes, both acidic and basic, such as methylene blue and gentian violet. Consequently, sponges of this material containing disinfectant dye release no dye to an aqueous solution The material is generally a porous matrix that releases no particles or fines into wounds or body orifices. Presence of bound disinfectant dye allows the sponge to inhibit bacterial growth in a number of different situations. Several common bacteria are killed by being incubated in the present of an embodiment of the invention which contains both methylene blue and gentian violet.

Abstract: Enhanced production of cryoprecipitate is produced by dehydrating an individual unit of plasma prior to a low temperature step used to produce cryoprecipitate. This dehydration is accomplished either by placing a water absorbing material within a blood bag so that plasma occupying the bag will become dehydrated or by placing the water absorbing material within a cartridge so that plasma becomes dehydrated upon flowing through the cartridge. The preferred water-absorbing material is a cross-linked chromatographic gel having pores too small to admit clotting proteins, but large enough to admit water molecules. Suitable gels are made from carbohydrates or polyacrylamide. Carbohydrate gels such as Sephadex.RTM., produced by Pharmacia-Upjohn, are particularly preferred in the present invention.