Polymeric Cryogel Filters

Leukocyte depletion filter for safe blood transfusion

Principle Investigator: Prof. Ashok Kumar (ashokkum@iitk.ac.in)

Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur- 208016, UP. India
Main Goals of the leukocyte filter device:

Cryogelation Technology

The goal of this project was to design an efficient, blood

compatible and cost effective macroporous polymeric
filter that can remove leukocytes from human whole
blood and blood component. This processing of blood
will help to avoid leukocyte mediated adverse nonhemolytic transfusion reactions. The macroporous
polymeric filters thus developed may efficiently replace
the currently available filter such cost effective polymeric
filters could fulfill the need of medical community.
Cryogel and its advantages
Macroporous polymeric matrices were prepared by the
polymerization or gelation of monomers or polymers
dissolved in suitable solvent at sub zero temperature.
Advantages:
Large interconnected pores
Unhindered high flow rate
Large surface area for adhesion of cells
Can be chemically modified to increase its affinity

Unfrozen liquid
microphase

Key advantages of proposed technology

Different formats of macroporous polymeric cryogel filter

Cost
effectiveness

Ice crystals

Technical
effectiveness

Thawing

Polymer monomer
solution

Freezing mixture at
subzero temperatue

Cryogel

Sheets

Monolith

Discs

Other
applications

Operationally simple
Produces low cost filter

Material in different formats

can be produced
Cells captured on the filter can
be released in the viable form

Can also be used for

preparative cell separations and
bioprocess like STEM CELL,
LYMPHOCYTES,VIRUS REMOVAL,
etc

Results
Cells type

Leukocytes
RBCs

Cell count
before
filtration
4.8 x 103/ul
3.42 x

106/ul

Cell count after

filtration using
cryogel
0.0 X 103 /ul
3.08 X

106

/ul

% Depletion

100 %

Unhindered blood flow through cryogel matrix

10%
a

Scanning electron microscopy images

of cryogel filter
Conclusion
Filters depletes leukocytes from the whole blood and
blood component,

Cryogel filter

The real system was tested on these polymeric filters

and every aspects of technology were carefully
monitored, demonstrated and technology was transferred
successfully to HLL Life Care Limited (India).

All the research activities were performed in IIT Kanpur.

The project was funded by HLL Life Care Limited (India).

Filter
Cryogel filterhousing

(a)Schematic representation of passage of blood from developed cryogel

filter (b) Digital image of cryogel filter (c) image of cassette for filter

Digital image of passage of blood from developed cryogel filter

Scanning electron microscopy images

Captured leukocyte on cryogel filter