摘要 |
Leukocytes, which may include one or more of monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, are harvested and administered to a region of the body. In the preferred embodiment, leukocytes are harvested from the blood by plasmapherisis, a procedure known to those familiar with blood-banking techniques, and used to treat an intervertebral disc. Plasmapherisis allows the removal of desired blood component(s) from a larger volume of blood than the technique described in the '000 Application. Returning the non-desired blood components to the patient prior to withdraw of additional blood prevents complications that may occur from hypovolemia. Thus, a larger number of leukocytes can be obtained with plasmapherisis than with centrifugation of blood removed during a single blood withdraw. Plasmapherisis can also be used to harvest platelets to treat DDD, HNP and other non-disc-related conditions.
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