Method for separating pathogenic or toxic agents from a body fluid and

Abstract

A method for removing or separating pathogenic or toxic agents from body fluids is provided. In substance, a fluid containing a preselected pathogenic or toxic agent is flowed into a mixing coil along with a plurality of paramagnetic beads. The paramagnetic beads include a coating which selectively binds the preselected pathogenic agent. By generating a magnetic field, the paramagnetic beads having the bound pathogenic agent are magnetically separated from the fluid. In one embodiment, the method includes the separation of HIV virus and/or HIV infected T-lymphocyte cells from blood. A continuous flow device for implementing the method of the present invention is also provided which includes in one embodiment a peristaltic pump which moves the subject liquid and paramagnetic beads through a mixing coil to promote contacting and binding of the paramagnetic bends to the pathogenenic agent. A magnetic separator in flow communication with the mixing coil is provided by which a magnetic field is generated which causes the paramagnetic beads with bound pathogenic agent to adhere magnetically to the wall of the separator. The method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for the continuous purging of a preselected pathogen from the blood of a human subject.