Adsorptive plasma treatment: optimization of extracorporeal devices and systems

Devices in current use for adsorptive plasma treatment have, in many cases, been adapted from other types of separation processes. Minimizing system volume and quantity of ligand per mass transferred are proposed as appropriate design goals for an adsorptive plasma treatment system. The process consists of two operations: cell/plasma separation and solute adsorption/desorption. An example of an optimally designed membrane cell separator is presented which adds a negligibly small volume to the system. By overcoming mass transfer limitations, both volume and ligand quantity associated with the sorbent device can be minimized. Combining both of the above operations in a single device is also feasible. Examples are discussed of optimally designed sorbent devices and devices which combine cell separation/solute adsorption.