Abstract: Capacitors are provided comprising a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate and a dielectric between the first and second plates. In certain embodiments the plates are arranged generally opposite each other and each is shaped in a periodically repeating pattern that is spatially out of phase with the other so that misregistration of the plates is compensated. In certain embodiments, a floating equipotential conductor is positioned between the plates and has a larger dimension than a corresponding dimension of the plates so that misregistration of the plates is compensated. Methods of manufacturing the capacitors are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillator circuit. In the oscillator circuit, the level of the output signal is monitored and compared to a desired reference level. An error signal is then generated and used to modify the feedback so that the negative resistance of the active device presented to the resonator exactly equals the magnitude of the positive resistance of the resonator without having to rely upon saturation in the active device and for very linear operation of the device such that over the full swing of the output, the negative impedance presented to the resonator remain extremely constant—thus reducing the sensitivity of the oscillator to any noise present.

Abstract: Capacitors are provided comprising a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate and a dielectric between the first and second plates. In certain embodiments the plates are arranged generally opposite each other and each is shaped in a periodically repeating pattern that is spatially out of phase with the other so that misregistration of the plates is compensated. In certain embodiments, a floating equipotential conductor is positioned between the plates and has a larger dimension than a corresponding dimension of the plates so that misregistration of the plates is compensated. Methods of manufacturing the capacitors are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features apparatuses and methods for inactivating viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens in protein-containing fluids. The apparatuses include a radiation transparent housing at least of a portion of which is radiation transparent. In addition, the housing contains a static mixer such that fluid flowing the housing approximates fully mixed flow. Pathogens are inactivated in liquids flowing through an apparatus of the invention by exposing the liquid to UV radiation, e.g., UVC radiation, at an appropriate intensity for an appropriate period of time.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for irradiating cell-containing compositions, especially, red cell-containing compositions, wherein vitamin E or a derivative thereof is added to the cell-containing composition prior to, during or after such irradiation. Addition of vitamin E or a derivative thereof is protective of cells in such compositions, but not of virus. Cells irradiated using the inventive process show a reduced leakage of K+ from cells and also a reduced loss of negative charges from the cell membrane compared to cells subjected to the similar process wherein vitamin E or a derivative thereof are not used. In addition, red blood cells sterilized by this process are better preserved during storage and their life-time in the circulation in vivo is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for inactivating extracellular and intracellular virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation thereof, said process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of UVA1 irradiation substantially in the absence of UVA2 irradiation for a period of time sufficient to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The biological composition is advantageously a product that contains red blood cells or platelets. The process is advantageously carried out in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer compound and/or a quencher. The present invention also concerns the product substantially identical to that produced by the inventive process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: A method for the sterilization of a virus infected plasma or plasma derivative comprising contacting the plasma or plasma derivative with at least one organic solvents with or without at least one detergent and simultaneously or sequentially with a lipophilic adorbent at a temperature of 30° C. to 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for inactivating an extracellular lipid enveloped human pathogenic virus and/or an intracellular human pathogenic virus which may be present in a blood cell composition containing ≧1×109 cells/ml by contacting that composition with a virucidally effective amount of at least one photoreactive compound having an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm, light and oxygen and/or a quencher. In one embodiment of the invention, the process is conducted under conditions whereby a structural integrity of greater than 80% of at least one type of blood cell contained within said composition is retained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for inactivating extracellular and intracellular virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation thereof, said process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of UVA1 irradiation substantially in the absence of UVA2 irradition for a period of time sufficient to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The biological composition is advantageously a product that contains red blood cells or platelets. The process is advantageously carried out in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer compound and/or a quencher. The present invention also concerns the product substantially identical to that produced bythe inventive process.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for photodynamically inactivating viruses in red blood cell containing compositions by adding vitamin E or a derivative thereof, such as Trolox, to the red blood cell and photosensitizer containing composition prior to irradiation. Addition of vitamin E or derivative thereof is protective of the red blood cells but not the viruses to be inactivated. Cells irradiated in this manner exhibit reduced leakage of potassium ion, and reduced loss of negative charges from the cell membrane compared to cells treated in the absence of vitamin E or derivative. Red blood cells sterilized by this method are better preserved during storage and their life-time in the circulation in vivo is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: A red blood cell containing composition is presented which has reduced potassium ion leakage after irradiation in a virus photoinactivation process. The irradiated red blood cell containing composition comprises red blood cells, a photosensitizer, and sufficient vitamin E or derivatives thereof to prevent potassium leakage. Preferred photosensitizers are aluminum phthalocyanines, AlPcS.sub.4 or Pc5. A preferred vitamin E derivative is Trolox.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for inactivating extracellular and intracellular viruses in a platelet containing composition is presented. The improvement in the process comprises adding a sensitizer to the platelet containing composition and irradiating the composition containing the sensitizer with UVA1 in the absence of UVA2 for a period of time sufficient to inactivate the viruses while retaining the functionality of the platelet containing composition. A quencher or mixture of quenchers of type I and type II photodynamic reactions may be advantageously added to the composition prior to irradiation.

Abstract: A process is presented for transfusing cells which have been sterilized with radiation and a quencher of type I and type II photodynamic reactions. The cells are removed from a donor and exposed to virucidally effective amount of radiation in the presence of a quencher of type I and type II reactions, or a mixture of a quencher for type I reactions and a quencher of type II reactions. Subsequently, the sterilized cell containing fraction is returned to the donor.

Abstract: By using a sheet beam and a charge-storing target measuring the differential of the deposited charge, one can greatly improve the performance of a scan converter. A segmented target provides instantaneous analog output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for activating prothrombin to thrombin in a prothrombin complex composition comprising at least prothrombin, Factors V, VII, IX, and X, and phospholipid, comprising the steps of: (a) cold-incubating the prothrombin complex composition with 2-15 mM of Ca.sup.2+ ions at a pH of 6.5-8.0 and at a temperature of 2.degree.-8.degree. C. until Factor VII contained in the composition is activated; and (b) incubating the cold-incubated composition at a pH of 6.5-8.0 and at a temperature of 10.degree.-25.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to activate prothrombin contained in the composition to thrombin.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for inactivating extracellular and intracellular viruses in a platelet containing composition is presented. The improvement in the process comprises adding a sensitizer to the platelet containing composition and irradiating the composition containing the sensitizer with UVA1 in the absence of UVA2 for a period of time sufficient to inactivate the viruses while retaining the functionality of the platelet containing composition. A quencher or mixture of quenchers of type I and type II photodynamic reactions may be advantageously added to the composition prior to irradiation.