Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for administering intracorporeal photopheresis to blood flowing in a patient's body to destroy an undesirable component in the blood, where the undesirable component has absorbed a photoreactive agent having a characteristic light absorption waveband. The apparatus includes an implantable housing that is adapted to be placed transcutaneously within a patient's body. An inlet and outlet for a fluid path through the housing are provided and are coupled to a patient's circulatory system so that they convey blood into and out of the housing. Light sources disposed within the housing(or externally disposed and coupled to the housing by optical fibers) emit light having a waveband substantially equal to the absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent. A portion of the fluid path within the housing is optically transparent so that blood is irradiated with light from the light source. The fluid path can have one of several different configurations, including serpentine, planar coil, helical coil, and cross tubes coupling inlet and outlet header manifolds. The light source can comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other types of light sources and may be coupled to the reactor through optical fibers. The power supply for the light source can be intracorporeal or extracorporeal.

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First Claim