Method and system for controlled hyperthermia

Abstract

Methods and for treatment of cancer and other diseases including complications from late stage viral infections by inducing hyperthermia in a patient relying on withdrawing blood from the patient and returning the withdrawn blood to the patient to establish an extracorporeal flow circuit. Blood is heated by passing through the extracorporeal circuit at a controlled rate until a target body core temperature in is achieved. Usually, the blood will be subjected to a continuously re-circulating dialysis to balance electrolytes. Additionally, the blood will be subjected to a continuously recirculating regeneration through a carbon sorbent column where toxins and contaminants are removed. The blood temperature is maintained at the target blood temperature for a treatment period, and the blood is cooled after the treatment period has been completed. The method can also be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, hepatitis, sepsis, the Epstein-Barr virus, and patients with life threatening complications from other viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. A method for removing viruses from the blood supply in an external circuit is also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating blood stored in the blood supply by establishing a stand-alone external circuit wherein blood is heated to between 40° C. and 49° C. for between 10 and 45 minutes in order to eliminate any viruses that may be contained in the blood. 
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  where the blood is heated to between 45° C. and 47° C. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1  where the treatment period is between 15 and 35 minutes. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  where the standalone external circuit comprises:
 a. a modular cooler heater; 
 b. a pump/agitator to ensure the blood is moving through the circuit; and 
 c. a blood chemistry analyzer to ensure the blood chemistry remains within acceptable limits. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1  where the blood is heated and cooled slowly. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  where all normal precautions during treatment and handling of blood are exercised in order to ensure that the blood is not damaged. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1  where the blood is returned to its normal storage temperature of 6° C. after treatment.