Selective cytopheresis devices and related methods thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.

1 . A system for treating leukocytes, the system comprising:
 a device defining a passageway for flowing a biological sample, the passageway comprising a region configured to sequester a leukocyte originating from the sample; and   an agent capable of inhibiting release of a pro-inflammatory substance from the leukocyte or deactivating the leukocyte.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second device in series with the device defining the passageway. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the agent is associated with a surface of the passageway;   wherein the agent is infused into the passageway;   wherein the agent comprises a calcium chelating agent, wherein the calcium chelating agent comprises citrate;   wherein the agent comprises an immunosuppressant agent, a serine leukocyte inhibitor, nitric oxide, a polymorphonuclear leukocyte inhibitor factor, a secretory leukocyte inhibitor, and a calcium chelating agent, wherein the calcium chelating agent is one or more of group consisting of citrate, sodium hexametaphosphate, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), triethylene tetramine, diethylene triamine, o-phenanthroline, and oxalic acid.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         8 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the region configured to sequester the leukocyte comprises a membrane,   wherein the membrane is porous;   wherein the membrane has a surface area greater than about 0.2 m 2 .   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         11 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the region configured to sequester the leukocyte is configured such that shear force within the region is less than about 1000 dynes/cm 2 ;   wherein the region configured to sequester the leukocyte comprises a cell-adhesion molecule.   
     
     
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         22 . A system for treating platelets, the system comprising:
 a device defining a passageway for flowing a biological sample, the passageway comprising a region configured to sequester a platelet originating from the sample; and   an agent capable of inhibiting release of a pro-inflammatory substance from the platelet or deactivating the platelet.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second device in series with the device defining the passageway. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the agent is infused into the passageway. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the agent comprises a calcium chelating agent. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the calcium chelating agent comprises citrate. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the region configured to sequester the platelet comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the membrane is porous. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the membrane has a surface area greater than about 0.2 m 2 . 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the region configured to sequester the platelet is configured such that shear force within the region is less than about 1000 dynes/cm 2 . 
     
     
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         37 . A method for treating a subject at risk of developing or having an inflammatory condition, the method comprising:
 (a) sequestering extracorporeally an activated platelet from the subject; and   (b) treating the platelet to reduce the risk of developing inflammation associated with the inflammatory condition or to alleviate inflammation associated with the inflammatory condition.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the inflammatory condition is selected from the group consisting of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), cardiopulmonary bypass syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, allograft rejection, asthma, chronic renal failure, cardiorenal syndrome, hepatorenal syndrome, and acute organ failure from ischemic reperfusion injury to myocardium, central nervous system, liver, kidney, or pancreas. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein step (a) is performed using a device defining a passageway comprising a region configured to sequester the platelet. 
     
     
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