US4959148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for specific affinity enhanced transport bioreactor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-01-23
•
Granted: 1990-09-25
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Expires: 2009-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing and/or modifying specific target substances in the blood is disclosed. The invention includes a column or chamber in which selected bioreactant molecules are suitably retained for reaction within a porous hydrogel polymer matrix by reversibly quenching the reactant propensity with a displaceable surrogate and polymerizing an insoluble cross-linked hydrogel in such manner that the hydrogel polymer replicates the shape of the bioreactant molecule. This replicated phantom shape in the polymer then exhibits profound dispersion-force affinity for the bioreactant. The invention provides for retention of a wide variety of therapeutic reactants and reaction products while confining the reaction within the column.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Clark, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:48
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J20/00; B01J20/28; B01J20/28014; B01J20/28033; B01J20/28026; B01J20/28042; B01J20/28045; B01J20/28047; B01J20/28052; C; C12; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/02; C12M25/00; C12M25/14; A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3679; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/902; Y10S210/911; Y10S210/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A bioreactor capable of retaining therapeutic reactants and reaction products while confining reaction within the bioreactor comprising: a chamber; a hydrogel polymer within said chamber; and a bioreactant within said chamber, said bioreactant having been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A bioreactor capable of retaining therapeutic reactants and reaction products while confining reaction within the bioreactor comprising: a chamber; a hydrogel polymer within said chamber; and a bioreactant within said chamber, said bioreactant having been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer contains 20 percent to 80 percent by weight of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer contains 50 percent to 60 percent by weight of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer includes a cross linking agent in an amount of less than 5 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said bioreactant is a chelating agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bioreactor of claim 5 wherein said chelating agent is deferoxamine mesylate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer is a poly(alkyl)methacrylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed as a flat sheet wound into a spiral scroll.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed as small pellets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bioreactor of claim 9 wherein said hydrogel polymer pellets are confined within the chamber in a mesh sack having mesh-size interstices smaller than the pellets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer is coated onto a solid adsorbent substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bioreactor of claim 11 wherein said solid adsorbent is activated carbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The bioreactor of claim 11 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed by adding a competitively adsorbed solvent into a monomer-bioreactant mixture followed by polymerization of said monomer and replication to retain the bioreactant, with said competitively adsorbed solvent being subsequently removed to permit adsorption of the molecules of interest.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bioreactor of claim 11 wherein said hydrogel polymer is coated onto a foam substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bioreactor of claim 14 wherein said gel-coated foam is employed along with a second adsorbent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bioreactor of claim 14 wherein said chamber contains a plurality of gel-coated foams.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bioreactor of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of gel-coated foams contains a different bioreactant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein there is added to the chamber a solvent capable of extracting said bioreactant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bioreactor of claim 18 wherein said bioreactant is deferoxamine mesylate and said solvent is ethyl alcohol irradiated with ultrasound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed by polymerizing a monomeric material in the presence of said bioreactant and surrogate material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bioreactor of claim 20 wherein the ratio of bioreactant to surrogate is approximately 1:1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating fluid by passing said fluid through a bioreactor of claim 1, whereby said fluid is reacted with said bioreactant.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for providing a bioreactor comprising: providing a chamber having contained therein a hydrogel polymer and a bioreactant, said bioreactant having been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant, and supplying the chamber with means for contacting said bioreactant with fluid to be treated.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for providing a bioreactor comprising: providing a chamber having contained therein a hydrogel polymer and a bioreactant, said bioreactant having been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant, and supplying the chamber with means for contacting said bioreactant with fluid to be treated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 said hydrogel polymer contains 20 percent to 80 percent by weight of water.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 said hydrogel polymer contains 50 percent to 60 percent by weight of water.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 said hydrogel polymer includes a cross linking agent in an amount of less than 5 percent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said bioreactant is a chelating agent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said chelating agent is deferoxamine mesylate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is a poly(alkyl)methacrylate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed as a flat sheet wound into a spiral scroll.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed as small pellets.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said hydrogel polymer pellets are confined within the chamber in a mesh sack having mesh-size interstices smaller than the pellets.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is coated onto a solid adsorbent substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said solid adsorbent is activated carbon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed by adding a competitively adsorbed solvent into a monomer-bioreactant mixture followed by polymerization of said monomer and replication to retain the bioreactant, with said competitively adsorbed solvent being subsequently removed to permit adsorption of molecules of interest.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is coated onto a foam substrate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is employed along with a second adsorbent material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said chamber contains a plurality of gel-coated foams.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38 wherein each of said plurality of gel-coated foams contains a different bioreactant.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 33 further including the step of removing said bioreactant by immersing the hydrogel into a solvent capable of extracting said bioreactant, followed by drying said hydrogel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said bioreactant is deferoxamine mesylate and said solvent is ethyl alcohol irradiated with ultrasound.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydrogel polymer is formed by polymerizing a monomeric material in the presence of said bioreactant and surrogate material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the ratio of bioreactant to surrogate is approximately 1:1.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 23 further comprising filling the chamber with substrate holding bioreactant sufficiently to immobilize the substrate and substantially avoid a pressure drop through the chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein the filling step comprises loading the chamber with a series of substrates, at least two of said substrates containing different bioreactants for reacting with body fluid, whereby different biochemical reactions take place within the same chamber.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 45 wherein the different biochemical reactions take place sequentially.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 23 comprising forming the hydrogel polymer with pores of greater size than the size of the bioreactant molecules.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 22 further comprising substantially filling available space in the chamber with foam.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
65 words
A bioreactor capable of retaining therapeutic reactants and reaction products while confining reaction within the bioreactor comprising: a chamber; a hydrogel polymer within said chamber; and a biomolecule within said chamber, said biomolecule having contacted a displaceable quenching surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the biomolecule with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said biomolecule.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
65 words
A bioreactor capable of retaining therapeutic reactants and reaction products while confining reaction within the bioreactor comprising: a chamber; a hydrogel polymer within said chamber; and a biomolecule within said chamber, said biomolecule having contacted a displaceable quenching surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the biomolecule with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said biomolecule.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
10 words
The bioreactor of claim 49 wherein said biomolecule is heparin.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating fluid by passing said fluid through a bioreactor of claim 49, whereby said fluid is reacted with said biomolecule.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for providing a bioreactor which comprises passing blood through a chamber having a blood line connector at either end, said chamber having contained therein a hydrogel polymer and a biomolecule, said biomolecule having contacted a displaceable quenching surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the biomolecule with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said biomolecule.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for providing a bioreactor which comprises passing blood through a chamber having a blood line connector at either end, said chamber having contained therein a hydrogel polymer and a biomolecule, said biomolecule having contacted a displaceable quenching surrogate material so that said hydrogel polymer forms around the biomolecule with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape but without chemically attaching to or embedding said biomolecule.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said biomolecule is heparin.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for treating a fluid comprising: providing a chamber; supplying said fluid to said chamber, wherein said chamber contains hydrogel polymer and a bioreactant which has been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that the hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant and holds it with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant; and reacting said fluid with said bioreactant.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for treating a fluid comprising: providing a chamber; supplying said fluid to said chamber, wherein said chamber contains hydrogel polymer and a bioreactant which has been quenched by a displaceable surrogate material so that the hydrogel polymer forms around the bioreactant and holds it with sufficient intimacy to replicate its shape without chemically attaching to or embedding said bioreactant; and reacting said fluid with said bioreactant.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the bioreactant is a chelating agent.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the fluid is blood and the chelating agent removes metal from the blood.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer holding the bioreactant is cast before placing it in the chamber.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer holding the bioreactant is sorbed onto a substrate.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer holding the bioreactant is sorbed onto an activated carbon substrate.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer holding the bioreactant is sorbed onto a foam substrate.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer comprises phantom shapes of bioreactant molecules, said shapes corresponding to shapes of bioreactant molecules previously held therein, said method comprising passing fluid containing bioreactant through the chamber containing said hydrogel polymer including said phantom shapes and removing bioreactant from the fluid by sorbing said bioreactant into said phantom shapes formed in the hydrogel polymer.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the bioreactant comprises a chelating agent.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 62 wherein the chelating agent comprises deferoxamine mesylate.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein the hydrogel polymer comprises polyalkylmethacrylate.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein the hydrogel polymer comprises polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 54 comprising forming the hydrogel polymer around the bioreactant without causing any substantial steric hindrance.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 57 wherein the fluid is blood, the bioreactant held by the hydrogel polymer is deferoxamine mesylate, and the reacting step comprises removing metal from the blood by chelation with the deferoxamine mesylate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-24 | 1994-03-26 | 1994-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-24 | 1998-03-26 | 1998-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | 2002-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |