A method of providing therapeutic treatment by delivering therapeutic aptamers locally to a target site using microneedles includes providing complementary sequence modified microneedles by reacting a complementary sequence (CS) with a polymer thereby forming a covalent bond between the polymer and the CS, forming microneedle patches using an initial casting solution consisting of the polymer, the therapeutic aptamer, and a covalent bond between a complementary sequence (CS) and the polymer, thereby loading the therapeutic aptamer into the microneedles, each microneedle having a base, shaft and tip, physically binding the therapeutic aptamer to the CS, inserting the microneedles into the tissue such that the tips and shafts are embedded into the target site and the bases are on a surface of the target site, and sustained release of the aptamer to the target site due to dissociation of the aptamer from the CS over time.

The invention relates to a blood treatment device configured to remove anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) from the blood or blood plasma of a person in need thereof in an extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the device comprises a matrix, and wherein said matrix comprises a monomeric form of proteinase 3 (PR3). The invention further relates to an extra-corporeal blood circuit comprising a blood treatment device of the invention and to the blood treatment device for use as a medicament or to methods of treating a medical condition associated with ANCA.

An apparatus for treating a patient suffering from acquired Transthyretin Amyloidosis includes a blood dialysis circuit with a pump for pumping the patient's blood that has been pretreated with magnetic nanoparticles through the dialysis circuit, and a transthyretin amyloid (TTR) protein separation component downstream of the pump and structured and disposed to separate the TTR proteins from the patient's blood by magnetic attraction as a result of the magnetic nanoparticles infiltrating the TTR proteins prior to circulation through the circuit. The circuit further includes a pressure gauge and a downstream end connection to the patient's venous blood flow for returning the patient's blood to the patient after removal of the TTR proteins.

Embodiments provide methods and apparatus for fabricating blood products, such as platelet-rich plasma, containing elevated concentrations of growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor. The platelet-rich plasma can be autologous, and the concentration of growth factors (e.g., platelet derived growth factor) is elevated relative to other samples isolated from the same subject. The platelet-rich plasma can be used to promote tissue regeneration, including wound healing, joint repair, hair growth, and the like. The compositions can be combined with stem cells and used to treat disorders otherwise treated with stem cells. The growth factors present in the samples can direct the differentiation of the stem cells.

A drug delivery device including a needle assembly facilitates making intradermal injections using a variety of drug container types such as a syringe. A hub supports the needle while a limiter surrounds the needle. The limiter includes a skin engaging surface that is adapted to be received against the skin of an animal to be intradermally injected. A forward end of the needle extends beyond the skin engaging surface a selected distance to limit a depth that the needle penetrates into the animal's skin.

A dialysis device including a dialysis circuit, a blood circuit; and a dialyzer. The dialysis device includes a device for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field and a device for generating an electrostatic direct current field. Both devices are designed and arranged in such a way that blood to be treated can be exposed to the high-frequency electromagnetic field and the electrostatic direct current field when passing through the dialyzer.

A bioprocessing system for protein manufacturing from human blood is provided that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production and delivery of therapeutic proteins to patients. The parent's own blood can be used as the source of cell extracts for the production of the therapeutic proteins.

Embodiments provide methods and apparatus for fabricating blood products, such as platelet-rich plasma, containing elevated concentrations of growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor. The platelet-rich plasma can be autologous, and the concentration of growth factors (e.g., platelet derived growth factor) is elevated relative to other samples isolated from the same subject. The platelet-rich plasma can be used to promote tissue regeneration, including wound healing, joint repair, hair growth, and the like. The compositions can be combined with stem cells and used to treat disorders otherwise treated with stem cells. The growth factors present in the samples can direct the differentiation of the stem cells.

Articles, systems, and methods related to the separation of at least a first species from at least a second species using nanoporous membranes are generally described.

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.