SYSTEM FOR THE EXTRACORPOREAL TREATMENT OF BLOOD

摘要

A method is provided for treating blood so as to remove protein-bound toxins (PBT) which comprises: (a) separating plasma from the blood; (b) subjecting separated plasma from step (a) to a first dialysis procedure in which separated plasma and a first dialysis medium are maintained on opposite sides of a first semi-permeable membrane; (c) transferring separated plasma from step (b) to a second dialysis procedure wherein treated separated plasma and a second dialysis medium are maintained on opposite sides of a second semi-permeable membrane; and (d) recovering separated plasma depleted in PBT from step (c). The method is characterised in that (i) the first dialysis medium comprises a low molecular weight component that is capable of passing through the first semi-permeable membrane in step (b) into the separated plasma whereby interaction between said component(s) and PBT occurs resulting in toxin release; and (ii) the composition of the second dialysis medium is such that transfer of said low molecular weight component(s) from the plasma to the second dialysis medium occurs.