Chapter 1 – What the Illuminator Does
Section 1.1 – What the Illuminator Does
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Section 1.1 What the Illuminator Does
The INTERCEPT Illuminator delivers a controlled dose of Ultraviolet A (UVA)
light to blood products, as part of the process to inactivate pathogens. The
illuminator is used in conjunction with platelets and plasma in an INTERCEPT
Processing Set. The processing set allows blood products to be handled in a
closed system. The illuminator maintains records of blood products, processes
and transfers these records to a printer or computer.
NOTE:
The operator is protected from the UVA source during normal
illuminator operation per EN 61010-1.
Each blood product uses a specific processing set. It is important to use the
correct processing set and use sets approved by your local regulatory authority.
A brief overview of the pathogen inactivation process is detailed below:
•The blood product is prepared in accordance with approved specifications for
processing with INTERCEPT. Refer to the Instructions for Use provided with
the processing sets for treatment specifications.
•The blood product is then mixed with amotosalen HCl.
•The amotosalen interacts with DNA or RNA in virus, bacteria, parasites or
leukocytes if they are present in the blood product.
•When the blood product with amotosalen is exposed to UVA light, the
amotosalen “crosslinks” the DNA or RNA. Pathogens can be prevented from
replicating by this process.
•Residual amotosalen is reduced by adsorption prior to storage.
