HemaSterilizer™

Pathogen inactivation in donor blood is a continuous undertaking since the emergence of AIDS. Currently there is no inactivation processes commercially available for red cell concentrates and bacterial and emerging new pathogen contamination of red cells remains an ongoing threat to the world-wide blood supply.

The HemaSterilizer™ is designed, based on the known capacity of Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to inactivate and kill pathogens, to sterilize whole blood or blood products (e.g. red cells concentrates) in a blood bank or hospital blood processing environment. The HemaSterilizer™ design goal is to achieve sterilization acceptance and to minimize handling and reduce costs. The HemaSterilizer will have an advantage over current methods of blood safety in that it will inactivate all viruses and bacteria in the blood, regardless of whether they have been identified or not. Initially we will propose that the process be adopted as an added safety measure to the tests already being conducted in blood banks and that, over time, replace most of the current tests while providing improved safety and significant savings. The technology may also facilitate an increase in the overall blood supply by enabling participation of previously excluded donors.

The HemaSterilizer is distinguished by two unique design features:

• Pump output that delivers a pre-determined flow to create pressure between the internal chamber volume and the thin film wall flow between the piston and quartz UV exposure window and a flow/speed piston rotation to provide mixing and to ensure even and multiple exposure presentations; and
• A piston surface that creates unique flow dynamics to help prevent hemolysis and maintain appropriate shear forces to prevent cell aggregation.

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