The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis, comprising at least in part donor apheresis, using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer.

Methods of separating magnetic particles from a fluid include introducing a fluid mixture that includes a liquid media, a biological component, and magnetic particles into an internal compartment of a container through an inlet, allowing at least a portion of the mixture to travel around a partition formed within the internal compartment and then exit the internal compartment through an outlet on the opposite side of the partition, and applying a magnetic field to the mixture in the internal compartment so that the magnetic particles are retained within the container or internal compartment thereof by the magnetic field. The partition is formed by permanently or reversibly securing upper and lower container walls together, such as by welding or pressing, between the inlet and the outlet such that the media and biological component must flow around the partition and through the magnetic field to exit the internal compartment through the outlet.

A blood treatment method includes the steps of inducing flow of a patient's blood through a blood treatment device inlet and outlet in fluid connection to the circulatory system of the patient. Metastatic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contained within patient blood is destroyed by passing a patient's blood over a bioreactor surface having attached or immobilized deoxyribonuclease 1 (DNase 1) enzyme. The blood treatment device which consists of a bioreactor containing immobilized DNase 1, enables continuous treatment of a patient's blood and increases the effective concentration of DNase 1 in a patient's bloodstream to convert metastasizing cancer DNA in blood into non-oncogenic nucleotide fragments in vivo without adding any chemicals to the blood of the patient.

The present invention provides compositions and methods of use of nanoparticle-based probes for in vivo imaging and therapy. The probes can be used to track diseased target cells by non-invasive imaging in the near-infrared range. Additionally, the probes can induce cell death of the target cells via photodynamic treatment.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

An apparatus and methods are provided for the magnetic separation of target bioentities. The apparatus include a fluid chamber and a magnetic element for drawing target bioentities toward a collection surface of the fluid chamber. The apparatus may include a positioning assembly operable to variable change the position and orientation of the fluid chamber relative to the magnetic element.

An apparatus and methods are provided for the magnetic separation of target bioentities. The apparatus includes a fluid chamber and a magnetic clement for drawing target bioentities toward a collection surface of the fluid chamber. The apparatus may include a positioning assembly operable to variable change the position and orientation of the fluid chamber relative to the magnetic element.

The present invention provides compositions and methods of use of nanoparticle-based probes for in vivo imaging and therapy. The probes can be used to track diseased target cells by non-invasive imaging in the near-infrared range. Additionally, the probes can induce cell death of the target cells via photodynamic treatment.

Methods and systems for removing leukocytes from a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods and systems include a device that has a magnetic substrate coated with one or more polymeric materials that have an adhesion or adsorption affinity for leukocytes.

A hemofilter system. In one embodiment, the hemofilter system includes a container having a first surface, a second surface, and one or more wall surfaces, the first surface, the second surface and the one or more wall surfaces defining a volume; an input port in fluid communication with the first surface; an output port in fluid communication with the second surface; a filter bed comprising a plurality of planar magnetic meshes stacked in close juxtaposition and positioned within the container volume and coplanar with the first and second surfaces; a first magnet positioned on a first surface of the container; a second magnet positioned on the second surface of the container; a first input conduit in fluid communication with the input port; and a first output conduit in fluid communication with the output port. In another embodiment, the hemofilter system includes a pump in the input conduit.