Boston University

University of California

Mark W Bitensky

Tatsuro Yoshida

Sergey S Shevkoplyas

Christopher V Gabel

Jure Derganc

Michael G Frank

A system for assessing the microvascular fitness of a sample of stored red blood cells. The system has a network device having at least one network unit. The network unit has a single inlet and a single outlet for the sample and a plurality of microchannels. The plurality of microchannels receive the sample from the single inlet and drain the sample into the single outlet. The network unit includes an aspiration pressure means for providing movement of liquid sample through the at least one network unit. The system further includes an analysis unit that receives the network device therein. The analysis unit includes a sensor for capturing measurements related to the sample and a processor capable of comparing the captured measurements to measurements stored in a database of healthy red blood cells to determine the microvascular fitness of the stored red blood cells.

System for assessing the efficacy of stored red blood cells using microvascular networks

There is provided compositions and methods for the storage of red blood cells. The compositions are additive solutions comprising adenine, dextrose, mannitol, NaHPO, and optionally NaCl and/or NHCl. Composition are preferably used with oxygen-depletion refrigerated storage of red blood cells and may optionally be employed with nutrient supplements extending the useful shelf life of stored blood.

Method of storing red blood cells with an acidic additive solution under oxygen depletion

There are provided methods and compositions for the storage of red blood cells. The compositions are metabolic supplements that are preferably added to refrigerated red blood cells suspended in an additive solution. Red blood cells are preferably stored under conditions of oxygen-depletion. Metabolic compositions comprises pyruvate, inosine, adenine, and optionally dibasic sodium phosphate and/or monobasic sodium phosphate.

Method for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood cells by nutrient supplementation

A microvascular network device comprising: a substrate; at least one microchannel; at least one opening to the microchannel for sample entry; at least one opening to the microchannel for sample exit; and an aspirator which causes the sample to traverse the microchannel.

Microvascular network device

A cellular diagnostic array has been developed that provides accurate and reproducible measurements of the physical parameters of individual cells en masse, including cell membrane surface area, cell volume, and excess membrane. Three differing patterns are employed. In the first design, a gradient array having rectangular shaped channels is used to capture cells and readily show the ratio of volume to surface area for the captured cell. The second silicone rubber array provided by the present invention employs an array of wedge shaped pipettes, each of which captures an individual cell. The position of the cell within a wedge is enough to rapidly determine the cell's actual surface area and volume. A third type of cellular diagnostic array according to the present invention employs an array of channels designed to deform a cell to study how well the cell responds to repeated deformations.

Cellular diagnostic arrays, methods of using and processing for producing same

Disclosed are modified red blood cells which function as deployment platforms for important biomolecules. Such modified red blood cells can confer, for example, in vivo protection against exposure to an otherwise lethal nerve agent.

Decorated red blood cells

Modified red blood cell that has surface molecules that neutralize chemical agents

The present invention relates to a storage device and method for the long-term storage of blood and, more particularly, to a blood storage device and method capable of removing oxygen from the stored blood and thereby prolonging the storage life of the deoxygenated blood.

Blood storage device and method for oxygen removal

Prolonged cold storage of red blood cells by oxygen removal and additive usage. A cost-effective, 4.degree. C. storage procedure that preserves red cell quality and prolongs post-transfusion in vivo survival is described. The improved in vivo survival and the preservation of adenosine triphosphate levels, along with reduction in hemolysis and membrane vesicle production of red blood cells stored at 4.degree. C. for prolonged periods of time, is achieved by reducing the oxygen level therein at the time of storage; in particular, by flushing the cells with an inert gas, and storing them in an aqueous solution which includes adenine, dextrose, mannitol, citrate ion, and dihydrogen phosphate ion, but no sodium chloride, in an oxygen-permeable container which is located in an oxygen-free environment containing oxygen-scavenging materials.

Prolonged cold storage of red blood cells by oxygen removal and additive

Method using oxygen removal for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood cells. A cost-effective, 4.degree. C. storage procedure that preserves red cell quality and prolongs post-transfusion in vivo survival is described. Preservation of adenosine triphosphate levels and reduction in hemolysis and in membrane vesicle production of red blood cells stored at 4.degree. C. for prolonged periods of time is achieved by removing oxygen therefrom at the time of storage; in particular, by flushing with an inert gas. Adenosine triphosphate levels of the stored red blood cells are boosted in some samples by addition of ammonium phosphate.

Method for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood

Method using CO for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood cells. Carbon monoxide is utilized for stabilizing hemoglobin in red blood cells to be stored at low temperature. Changes observed in the stored cells are similar to those found in normal red cell aging in the body, the extent thereof being directly related to the duration of refrigerated storage. Changes in cell buoyant density, vesiculation, and the tendency of stored cells to bind autologous IgG antibody directed against polymerized band 3 IgG, all of which are related to red blood cell senescence and increase with refrigerated storage time, have been substantially slowed when red blood cells are treated with CO. Removal of the carbon monoxide from the red blood cells is readily and efficiently accomplished by photolysis in the presence of oxygen so that the stored red blood cells may be safely transfused into a recipient.

Growing community of inventors

Waban, MA, United States of America

Mark W Bitensky