Method for modifying the properties of a fluid by irradiation, and system for implementing same

Abstract

Methods for modifying the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of a fluid by irradiation are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising supplying a flow of a fluid to an irradiation chamber; focusing the flow of the fluid so as to create at least one fluid layer; and applying radiation to the fluid layer in a defined portion of the irradiation chamber thereby modifying at least one physical, chemical or biological property of the fluid layer is provided. Systems for the implementation of such methods are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an irradiation chamber comprising at least one inlet for the introduction of a fluid which is to be irradiated in the irradiation chamber and at least one outlet for the withdrawal of the irradiated fluid;   an irradiation device; and   a focusing device that focuses by applying a force to the fluid which is to be irradiated to create at least one fluid layer within a defined portion of the irradiation chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one sensor capable of determining the speed, the thickness or the opacity of at least one fluid layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control device comprising at least one of the following:
 a servo capable of regulating a flow rate of at least one fluid layer as a function of the desired thickness or the ascertained thickness of the fluid layer; and 
 a servo capable of regulating the dose of the radiation as a function of the ascertained thickness of the fluid layer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a separation chamber or a mixing chamber located upstream of the irradiation chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a separation chamber located downstream of the irradiation chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid which is to be irradiated is a biological fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the fluid further comprises at least one of a photosensitive substance, an additive solution, and a preservation solution. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the photosensitive substance is selected from the group consisting of: a phenothiazine, a psoralen, and a riboflavin derivative. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the irradiation device emits electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the irradiation device emits at least one of the following: X rays, gamma rays, infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet rays. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the irradiation chamber is at least partially permeable to radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the irradiation chamber comprises at least two films disposed parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the thickness of the irradiation chamber is sufficiently small to allow for laminar flow inside the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one fluid circulation device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one receptacle for the fluid which is to be irradiated, wherein the receptacle is in fluidic communication with the at least one inlet. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one receptacle to capture irradiated fluid, wherein the receptacle is in fluidic communication with the at least one outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the force applied by the focusing device is capable of displacing particles within the fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the force applied by the focusing device is at least one of a hydrodynamic force, a gravitational force, a centrifugal force, a magnetic force, an electrical force, an acoustic force, an optical force, a thermal force, and lift. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the irradiation chamber comprises at least three inlets for the introduction of fluid and at least three outlets for the withdrawal of irradiated fluid. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 an irradiation chamber comprising at least one inlet for the introduction of a biological fluid which is to be irradiated in the irradiation chamber and at least one inlet for the introduction of a neutral fluid;   an irradiation device; and   a focusing device that focuses by applying a hydrodynamic force to the biological fluid which is to be irradiated, wherein the hydrodynamic force is applied by the neutral fluid to create at least one fluid layer comprising the biological fluid within a defined portion of the irradiation chamber.