abstract |
The present invention relates to the sterilisation (in the sense of rendering free from cells or organisms capable of division e.g. lymphocytes, protozoans, bacteria, viruses) of blood or other fluids. The present invention provides an apparatus (1) for use in the ultraviolet irradiation of the fluid (8), which comprises a vessel (2) having side walls (4) substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation of an effective inactivating wavelength; a turning vessel support (3) for supporting and allowing said vessel to turn on said support which is driven (23) so as to directly or indirectly turn the vessel on the support. U.V. irradiation means are provided for irradiating at least part of the turning vessel (2). In use of the apparatus a thin layer (9) of the fluid (8) adjacent the wall surface (10) of the side wall (4) is carried round past the ultraviolet irradiation means (7) and sterilised thereby and mixed with the main body of said fluid (8). The present invention also provides a method of inactivating undesired microorganisms in a biological fluid (8) in an apparatus (1) of the invention. |