Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a vaccine containing infectious particles which may be viral, bacterial, and/or cellular in nature. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of an endogenous photosensitizer to the fluid and exposing the fluid to photoradiation sufficient to inactivate the infectious particles but not enough to damage the antigenic characteristics of the infectious particles.

Abstract: The methods of this invention involve preventing the formation of a complex between adenine and riboflavin by reducing the amount of adenine in a solution containing blood or blood components to be pathogen reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to an apparatus and methods for preventing the recontamination of a pathogen-reduced fluid by pathogens trapped in one or more ports of an inactivation fluid container. Through the use of a slidable clamp positioned in an area of the container immediately adjacent to a port to be isolated, the port may be sealed to prevent any liquid product from entering the port and associated tubing when liquid product is added to the container. The slidable clamp includes a slot, in which the distal end of the slot has a larger width than the proximal end of the slot. The width of the slot at the narrowest, most proximal portion allows for a fluid-tight seal to be created when the slidable clamp is slid into the closed position with respect to the port to be isolated.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating blood or blood products, preferably with ultra violet or visible light, to reduce contaminants in the blood or blood products. A removable radiometer having light integrating chambers detects the light intensity, allowing the radiation characteristics of the apparatus to be calibrated. A control circuit uses the measurements to control the delivery of an effective dose of illumination to blood or blood products in a bag or container. One or more light integrating optical chambers in the radiometer allow a single light sensor to sense light across an entire field. Thermistors in the irradiating apparatus or the radiometer or both sense the temperature of photo sensors. The control circuit compensates for temperature-dependant variations in the output of the photo sensors.

Abstract: Methods, devices and device components are presented for uniformly treating fluids undergoing mixing with electromagnetic radiation. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating a fluid undergoing continuous fluid mixing wherein net radiant energies necessary to provide uniform treatment of the fluid samples with electromagnetic radiation are calculate on the basis of the volume, mass or mixing rate of the fluid or any combination of these variables. In another aspect, the present invention provides algorithms for determining net radiation energies, radiant powers, and/or illumination times necessary for providing uniform treatment of fluid samples. The present invention provides methods for uniformly reducing pathogens in biological fluids, including blood and blood components.