GB2189677A

GB2189677A - Process and apparatus for killing bacteria and viruses in blood

Info

Publication number: GB2189677A
Application number: GB08610606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Richard Swift
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-30
Filing date: 1986-04-30
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Also published as: GB8610606D0

Abstract

In a process for killing many bacteria and viruses in human and animal whole blood or in its component parts among which are serum and Factor 8, silver ions are introduced into the blood or blood components. In one method of operation, blood is introduced into a vessel (1), a pair of silver electrodes (2) is immersed in the blood, and a direct current from a source (3) which may be reversed at regular intervals is passed between the electrodes. The blood is gently stirred and the process allowed to run until the silver ions given off by the electrodes into the blood attain a level of up to several parts per million parts of blood. The power is then switched off and stirring continued, where after the blood is then transferred into a vessel (6) with a stirrer (6a). This vessel contains electrodes (7) connected to a DC power source (8). When the current flows between these electrodes, the silver ions or ionic compounds which they form with other chemicals in the blood are substantially removed from the blood and coat the cathode. When this process is completed, the blood is substantially sterile and is removed for storage or reintroduction to a patient. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Process and apparatus for killing bacteria and/or viruses This invention relates to a processforkilling many bacteria and viruses in human or animal whole blood orin its component parts among which are serum and factor eight.

The process may be used in several ways, two of which are described below: (a) to treat either blood or component parts which have been removed from a donor body and which is intended for storage and subsequent re-use by way of transfusion or injection.

(b) in a continuous process in which blood is removed from a patient, and ifonlyparticularcompo- nents are required to be processed for a particular treatment, these may be separated bysemi-perme- able membranes orfilters as are used in a dialysis machine. After processing, the components, if sepa- rated, are recombined, and the whole blood returned to the patient.

The apparatus required for the two processes is now described, as though it were working on a batch basis, treating a discreet volume of blood or blood compo nent product. Forsimplicity of description the term blood will be used for both cases.

Blood is introduced into a containment vessel (1 ) which is of convenient size to hold the amount required to be treated. A pair of silver electrodes (2) are immersed in the blood and a direct current or direct current which is reversed at regular intervals of several seconds or more is passed between the electrodes. This is generated bya power source (3).

The blood is gently stirred by a stirrer (4) and the process allowed to run until the silver ions given off by the electrodes into the blood attain a level of, upto several parts per million parts of blood, for example in the range 0.2 to 10 parts per million.The power source is then switched off and the stirring continued for a period of time. The blood is then transferred by pump (5) into a similarvessel (6) with a similar stirrer (6a).

This vessel contains two or more electrodes (7) connected to a D.C. power source (8). These electrodes may be of differing materials, the anode may, by example, be of carbon and the cathode of stainless steel.

When the current to these electrodes is switched on, the silver ions or ionic compounds which they may form with other chemicals in the blood, are substantially removed from the blood, and plate or stick on to the cathode. When this process is completed, the blood may be removed for storage, or re-introduction to the patient undergoing treatment. In our investigations it has been found that the exposure of many forms of bacteria, enteroviruses and retrovirusesto silver ions in concentrations of under ten parts per million parts of blood, kills all or a substantial portion of those bacteria or viruses in a period of less than one hour. Under appropriate conditions, silver ions in concentrations of less than one part per million can kill most of some types of bacteria and viruses in an acceptable period without killing or injuring the living blood cells.

Claims

1. Aprocessfortreating bloodorcomponents thereof, wherein silver ions are introduced into blood at concentrations sufficient to incapacitiate bacteria and viruses present in the blood.

2. A process according to claim one wherein the silver ions and/or ionic compounds are subsequently removed from the blood.

3. A process according to claim one or claim two, wherein the introduction and/orthe removal of the ions or ionic compounds is achieved electrolytically.

4. A process comprising any practical combination of the steps disclosed in the specification.

5. A process according to any preceding claim substantially as herein before described with refer ence to or as illustrated by the accompanying dia- gramatic drawing.

6. An apparatus performing a process according to any preceding claim.

7. An apparatus substantially are hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated by the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.