DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PATHOGEN INACTIVATION OF THERAPEUTIC FLUIDS WITH STERILIZING RADIATION

摘要

A device and method for inactivating pathogens in therapeutic fluids with sterilizing radiation in a continuous flow arrangement while exhibiting radiation dose uniformity and narrow residence time distribution of the flui d within the device. The device (10) comprises a radiation permeable cylindric al tube (12) having a concentric cylindrical rotor (14) disposed therein, there by providing a thin gap (16) therebetween. A top plate (18) having a fluid outl et (26) and a bottom plate (20) having a fluid inlet (24) seal the cylindrical tube (12). The inlet (24) and outlet (26) are both in fluid communication wi th the thin gap (16). A rotor shaft (36) is diposed axially through the cylindrical rotor (14) and is connected to a motor (30). A pump provides flu id flow through the device (10). A radiation source provides sterilizing radiation to the fluid through the cylindrical tube (12). As the fluid flows , the motor (30) drives the rotor (14) to impart Taylor vortices to the fluid flow, which exchanges the fluid closer to the cylindrical tube (12) with the fluid closer to the rotor (14).