Plasmapher/Apherlungs

Aferesi as therapy

Plasmapher/Apherlungs is a multi-therapeutic platform designed for performing multiple extracorporeal purification treatments:

  • Plasma exchange (PEX)
  • Cascade Filtration (CF)
  • Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP)
  • Hemoperfusion (HP)
  • Purification using extracorporeal circuits

The goal is to enable plasma purification from various molecules that are harmful to the body due to their nature and/or concentration, such as in immune-mediated or autoimmune diseases. It also allows for the purification of perfusion fluid in organ reconditioning treatments, particularly for lungs, to modulate the inflammatory response.

Plasmapher: Dedicated therapy system for Critical Care
Plasmapher Logo: Dedicated therapy system for Critical Care

Therapies and treatments

Automatic and balanced re-infusion of replacement fluids.

The Plasmapher/Apherlungs platform allows for the execution of Plasma Exchange treatments, which involve the complete replacement of the patient’s plasma followed by administration of donor plasma and/or albumin solution.

The technique involves drawing whole blood from the patient, which is then separated using a plasma filter into cellular components and plasma. The patient’s plasma is discarded and replaced with donor plasma and/or albumin solution. This solution is then combined with the cellular components of the blood and re-infused back into the patient.

Plasmapher Plasma Exchange

Purification of autologous plasma directly from a cell separator.

The Plasmapher/Apherlungs system enables purification of the patient’s autologous plasma directly from a cell separator, followed by re-infusion of the purified plasma.

Plasmapher/Apherlungs allows for direct connection to a cell separator, which separates plasma from cellular components of the blood. The obtained plasma is directed to Plasmapher/Apherlungs where it undergoes semi-selective purification of target molecules using Evaflux™ fractionator filters.

The equipment automatically manages the regeneration of fractionator filters, maintaining consistent performance throughout the treatment and reducing the need for operator intervention.

After purification, the treated plasma is re-infused back into the cell separator for subsequent use.

Summary of Cascade filtration:

  • Minimally invasive
  • Automatic regeneration of the fractionator filter
  • Reduced infections and autoimmune reactions
  • Decreased drug depletion
  • Semi-selective removal of target molecules
  • Reinfusion of purified autologous plasma (preservation of albumin plasma levels)
Plasmapher Cascade Filtration

Purification of autologous plasma directly from the patient.

The Plasmapher/Apherlungs system enables purification treatments of the patient’s plasma from target molecules, followed by reinfusion of the treated plasma to the patient.

Plasmapher/Apherlungs is directly connected to the patient, and plasma is separated from cellular components of the blood using a plasma filter. After separation, the plasma is directed through an Evaflux® fractionator filter, which is dedicated to semi-selective removal of target molecules. Finally, the purified plasma is mixed and reinfused back to the patient.

The equipment automatically manages the regeneration of fractionator filters, maintaining consistent performance throughout the treatment and reducing the need for operator intervention.

Summary of DFPP:

  • Automatic regeneration of the fractionator filter
  • Heparin anticoagulation
  • Containment of infections and autoimmune reactions
  • Reduced drug depletion
  • Semi-selective removal of target molecules
  • Reinfusion of purified autologous plasma (preservation of albumin plasma levels)
Plasmapher Double Filtration Plasmapheresis

Thanks to the presence of a peristaltic pump capable of working at variable flows up to a maximum of 400 ml/min, Plasmapher/Apherlungs is designed to perform hemoperfusion treatments with sorbents (CytoSorb®), to modulate molecules responsible for the development of pathological conditions.

Plasmapher Hemoperfusion Isolated

The PURIFICATION Module arises from the ability to utilize apheresis techniques in complex clinical scenarios, such as severe heart and/or respiratory failure, which require the use of extracorporeal circulation methods like ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). In these critical cases, due to the invasiveness and complexity of cardio-circulatory support circuits, it is preferable to directly integrate the system in parallel with the patient’s existing circuit.

This is made possible by the presence of a peristaltic pump capable of working at variable flows up to a maximum of 400 ml/min, and specific algorithms regulated by pressures within the circuit itself.

In parallel with ECMO Circuit

The Plasmapher/Apherlungs equipment is capable of being connected in parallel with any type of ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) for performing treatments with sorbents (CytoSorb®). This allows for the modulation of molecules responsible for the development of certain pathological conditions.

The connection of the Plasmapher/Apherlungs system in parallel to a high-flow main circuit is also used for purification treatments in organ reconditioning techniques, particularly for lungs or abdominal organs intended for transplantation. In fact, purification treatments can be utilized during ex vivo organ reconditioning for transplantation. The goal is to purify the perfusion fluid from specific factors conditioning the suitability for transplantation and to prevent potential complications that may arise post-transplantation.

Plasmapher Purification Module