Figures & data
Figure 1 Schematic diagram of proposed extracorporeal viral antibody column (EVAC), an auxiliary therapy to reduce blood viral titers when treating viral infections in the blood by removing viral antigens and toxins from the bloodstream.
Notes: EVAC would work aseptically with the aid of a blood pump in a closed circuit. The main features of the treatment would include: (A) the hand of a person to be treated, (B) blood removed from an artery, (C) an arterial pressure monitor, (D) a peristaltic blood pump, (E) an inflow pressure monitor, (F) heparin injection (to prevent clotting) and inflow sampling to detect viral antigen titer before processing, (G) EVAC, the main component required to immobilize viral antigens and toxins from the blood. EVAC contains extensive biocompatible lattice membranes impregnated with viral antibodies. These viral antibodies would conjugate with viral antigens and toxins, and hence would be trapped inside the column. (H) Blood outflow, (I) outflow sampling to detect titer of antigens after EVAC processing, (J) air detector and air trap, (K) venous pressure monitor, and (L) processed blood returning to the venous system. All tubing and EVAC would be applied aseptically. This system is intended for single use and would be appropriately disposed of after each treatment.
