A limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) comprises a limb-receiving container (110) arranged to receive a portion of the limb (5) and to collect blood exited from the limb; and a blood recirculation system (120) configured to recirculate blood from the limb-receiving container (110) to one or more regions of the limb. Advantageously, the limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) may further comprise or may be associated with a limb-compressing apparatus (210) configured to reduce, restrict or prevent blood flow in the region of the limb-compressing apparatus.

A system to be used to treat Leukemia, comprises a device to power, control and monitor an ultraviolet radiation as well as to monitor a blood contactless conductivity; and a catheter assembly with an inner dialysis catheter, an ultraviolet radiation source and a differential coil sensor. The system is using wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation to destroy infectious microbes that are in the blood and that are inside circulating tumor cells directly and indirectly as well as to destroy infectious microbes at primary tumor location (bone marrow). This is done without withdrawing the blood out of the body. Furthermore, the system measures a blood conductivity to evaluate the treatment process in a real time during the operation.

An operational unit for locating and neutralizing pathogen cells in blood includes a cassette which has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood selectively block the light to produce shadow images of the cells. A processor performs pattern recognition to locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, a source of ultraviolet light is activated and UV light is passed through selectively controlled shutters to illuminate only the limited areas that have the identified pathogen cells. Sufficient ultraviolet light energy is applied to destroy the identified cells. A pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the neutralized-pathogen blood to the patient, and the process is repeated.

An operational unit for locating and neutralizing pathogen cells in blood includes a cassette which has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood selectively block the light to produce shadow images of the cells. A processor performs pattern recognition to locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, a source of ultraviolet light is activated and UV light is passed through selectively controlled shutters to illuminate only the limited areas that have the identified pathogen cells. Sufficient ultraviolet light energy is applied to destroy the identified cells. A pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the neutralized-pathogen blood to the patient, and the process is repeated.

An operational unit for locating and neutralizing pathogen cells in blood. A cassette has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates each of the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood produce shadow images of the cells in the sensor array. A processor performs pattern recognition to identify and locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, the pump is operated to move the identified cells to a processing zone. When each identified cell reaches the processing zone, electric energy is applied to destroy the identified pathogen cells. A pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the neutralized-pathogen blood to the patient, and the process is repeated for a treatment time period.

An operational unit for locating and neutralizing pathogen cells in blood includes a cassette which has a plurality of thin holding chambers that are filled with blood drawn from a patient. A light source illuminates the holding chambers and passes light to an underlying sensor array such that the cells in the blood selectively block the light to produce shadow images of the cells. A processor performs pattern recognition to locate the pathogen cells by use of an image library. After the pathogen cells are located, a source of ultraviolet light is activated and UV light is passed through selectively controlled shutters to illuminate only the limited areas that have the identified pathogen cells. Sufficient ultraviolet light energy is applied to destroy the identified cells. A pump refills the cassette holding chambers, returns the neutralized-pathogen blood to the patient, and the process is repeated.

An improved method for separating whole blood into components and collecting a desired blood component. The method allows a desired blood component to be subjected to centrifugal forces within a separator for prolonged periods of time, yielding a cleaner cut and higher yield of the desired blood component. Whole blood is drawn from a source and pumped into a separator, the undesired blood components are removed from the separator at rates so as to build up the desired blood component in the separator. The desired blood component is only removed after a predetermined amount of the desired blood component has built up in the separator. It is preferred that the desired blood component be buffy coat and that the method be used to perform photopheresis treatments. In another aspect, the invention is a method of performing a full photopheresis treatment to treat diseases in a reduced time, preferably less than about 70 minutes, and more preferably less than about 45 minutes.

A system for collecting MNCs to be treated with irradiation comprises a fluid circuit comprising a product container for receiving a MNC product. The system comprises a separator to work in association with the fluid circuit, the separator comprising a chamber for separation into RBCs, plasma, and an interface carrying MNCs between the RBCs and the plasma. A microprocessor-based controller is in communication with the separator, wherein the controller receives input of a target hematocrit for the MNC product. The controller also receives input for a total volume of whole blood and a number of cycles, and directs the interface and a portion of the RBCs into the product container for a resulting product volume comprising a volume of MNCs and a volume of RBCs. The controller automatically adjusts a RBC volume so that a ratio of RBCs within the MNC product to MNC product equals the target hematocrit.

Embodiments are described for treating a fluid, e.g., a biological fluid. The embodiments may include systems, apparatuses, and methods. Embodiments may provide for a flow cell, with a plurality of manipulation elements, through which a fluid is flowed. The fluid may be treated (e.g., exposed to energy) as it moves through the flow cell. In embodiments, the flow cell may be used to inactivate pathogens in the fluid.

Embodiments are described for treating a fluid, e.g., a biological fluid. The embodiments may include systems, apparatuses, and methods. Embodiments may provide for a flow cell, with a plurality of manipulation elements, through which a fluid is flowed. The fluid may be treated (e.g., exposed to energy) as it moves through the flow cell. In embodiments, the flow cell may be used to inactivate pathogens in the fluid.