Emory University

Other

Lifesource Advanced Blood Bank Systems, Inc.

Alexander Duncan

Robert L Hunter

John R Beard

Frank H Harms

Michael J Morris

Hugh W Hoogendoorn

The invention provides a one-stage method of measuring antithrombin (AT) activity in a sample. In the method, a diluted sample is mixed with AT-deficient plasma containing intrinsic coagulation enzymes, an AT augmenting compound such as heparin, a phospholipid and an activator of the contact phase of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Following addition of calcium ions, coagulation time is measured and compared to a reference standard to determine the level of AT activity in the sample.

Method for measuring antithrombin activity

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating tumors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for treating tumors comprising injecting a solution of certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface-active copolymers and a solution containing chemotherapeutic agents into a human or animal with a tumor. The solutions can be injected simultaneously or separately at different times. In addition, the surface-active copolymer and the chemotherapeutic agent can be in the same solution. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method of treating tumors

A bag is disclosed for the collection, freezing, storage, and rapid thawing of fluids, and particularly blood and blood components. Front and back sheets of fluid impervious material are bonded to one another along edge portions thereof to form a bag defining a reservoir. The front and back sheets are further bonded together at a plurality of locations intermediate the edge portions to constrain the distance by which the front and back sheets can separate. The intermediate fastening locations are disposed to permit uniform filling of the reservoir. A port is provided for introducing and discharging fluid into and out of the reservoir. When a fluid is introduced into the reservoir, the front and back sheets are constrained from separating in response to a pressure exerted by the fluid by the intermediate fastenings between the front and back sheets to constrain the thickness of the bag. The distance between the centermost points in the interior of the bag and the corresponding closest points on the exterior of the bag is thereby minimized, increasing the rate at which heat is transferred into or out of the bag contents. Heat transfer is thus greatly improved, markedly reducing the time required to freeze or thaw the bag contents.

Storage bag for blood and blood components

The temperature of bags of blood or blood components is varied by directing a heated or refrigerated flow of air through vents (138) of pairs of opposing ducts (130A, 130B) longitudinally spaced across gaps to present thermal processing chambers (136) into which the bags are received. The vents are centrally located on vertical tubes (132) laterally separated by vertical air return slots (135), and act to direct the airflow substantially perpendicular and with turbulence against the bags. In a described thermal processing unit (110), the spacings of the vents and tubes are chosen to match the corresponding spacing of vertical tubular chambers (62) of a preferred bag (10) with which the unit (110) can be used. A central system automatically regulates airflow temperature in accordance with bag internal core temperature measurements taken externally of the bags by a sensor (140) having a sensing tip (142) that is pressed inwardly into bag flexible sheet material (11, 12) when airflow is present, and retracted when airflow is stopped.

Method and apparatus for the rapid thermal processing of transfusion

In accordance with the present invention, a composition and method is provided for perfusion of organs. The present invention includes perfusion of organs in situ and before transplantation. The method comprises perfusing an organ with a perfusion medium containing an effective amount of a surface active copolymer. The surface active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Improved perfusion medium for transplantation of organs

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for improving angioplasty procedures by reducing tissue damage during the procedure comprising infusing a non-emulsion, homogeneous solution of certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface-active copolymers before, during and/or after the angioplasty procedure. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method of performing angioplasty procedures

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating stroke. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for treating stroke comprising injecting a non-emulsion, homogeneous solution of certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation surface-active copolymers. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method of treating stroke

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating myocardial damage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for treating myocardial damage comprising injecting a non-emulsion, homogeneous solution of certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation surface-active copolymers. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method of treating myocardial damage

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating tissue damaged by ischemia. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for treating tissue damaged by ischemia comprising injecting certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation surface-active copolymers. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method of treating ischemic tissue

In accordance with the present invention, a method and composition is provided for treating an animal or human with ischemic tissue. The method comprises injecting an effective amount of a free-radical scavenger and a surface-active copolymer into an animal or human with damaged tissue. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein a is an interger such that the hydrophobe represented by (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably approximately 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound.

Method and composition for reducing tissue damage

In accordance with present invention, a method is provided for reducing tissue damaged by ischemia in animal or human. The method comprises injecting an effective amount of an anticoagulant and a surface-active copolymer into an animal or human with tissue damaged by ischemia tissue. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Fibrionolytic composition

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating sickle cell anemia. The method comprises injecting an effective concentration of a surface active copolymer into the patient with sickle cell anemia. The surface active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Method for treating sickle cell disease

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for improving angioplasty procedures by reducing tissue damage during the procedure comprising infusing certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation surface-active copolymers before, during and/or after the angioplasty procedure. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Improved method of performing angioplasty procedures

In accordance with the present invention, a composition is provided that is effective in dissolving blood clots and reestablishing and maintaining blood flow through thrombosed coronary or other blood vessels. The fibrinolytic composition of the present invention comprises an enzyme, such as streptokinase, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator or other fibrinolytic enzyme, and a surface-active copolymer. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:

Fibrinolytic composition

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided that is effective in treating sickle cell anemia. The method comprises a method of treating a person with sickle cell disease comprising the step of injecting into the person with sickle cell disease a solution with an effective concentration of a surface active copolymer of the following formula:

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Dunwoody, GA, United States of America

Alexander Duncan