ADSORPTIVE PLASMA TREATMENT - OPTIMIZATION OF EXTRACORPOREAL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS

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