Blood purification method and apparatus for the treatment of malaria

Abstract

Methods for treating malaria are provided, the treatment comprising the step of removing malaria-infected red blood cells from the patient's blood. Blood is drawn from the patient's circulatory system and circulated through a blood purification device that selectively eliminates the infected red blood cells from all other blood's components and replaces the cleansed blood back into the patient's circulatory system. A blood purification device, which is useful to perform the therapeutic methods of the invention, is also provided. The device leverages the magnetic properties of the hemozoin contained within the infected red blood cells and comprises one or more separation chambers () though which blood flows through a high-gradient magnetic field generated by an array of wires () separated from the chambers and not in contact with the patient blood. The magnetic field gradient acting on the cells magnetic properties displaces the infected and non-infected red blood cells on different layers of the blood flow across the chamber height. The blood flow is split into separated streams and blood streams containing infected cells are filtrated thereby trapping infected cells. Blood containing non-infected red blood cells is circulated back to the patient. The device application is not limited to the treatment of malaria and includes other blood related diseases that affect the magnetic properties of a patient's red blood cells.