Abstract A liquid containing plasma proteins in solution and a liquid precipitant are intermixed by projecting through space a pair of convergent solid jets of respectively the solution and the precipitant so that the jets combine and the liquids thereof intermix, plasma protein being precipitated instantaneously on intermixing of the liquids and being subsequently separated from the liquid mixture; by creating miniature jets, especially jets with diameters in the range 0.5mm to 2mm, the intermixing can be effected in a small confined space whereof the temperature can be closely controlled to prevent denaturation of the mixture, intimate intermixing of the liquids can be attained practically instantaneously in said space, and jet flow can be transformed to film flow without denaturation of the mixture by foaming or turbulence.
A method for fractionating a solution containing a plurality of plasma proteins, which comprises: continuously converging a jet stream of a plasma containing a protein fraction to be precipitated, said fraction comprising globulin, and a jet stream of a liquid protein precipitant onto a temperature controlled surface such that admixture of said plasma and protein precipitant occurs substantially simultaneously upon impingement of said jet streams upon said temperature controlled surface so that precipitation of said protein fraction comprising globulin is initiated without significant foaming and turbulence of said mixture which denatures said protein fraction and such that when the precipitation reaction is exothermic, the resultant increase in temperature does not result in denaturation of said protein fraction; and collecting the protein fraction which precipitates from said plasma.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for fractionating a solution containing a plurality of plasma proteins, which comprises: continuously converging a jet stream of a plasma containing a protein fraction to be precipitated, said fraction comprising globulin, and a jet stream of a liquid protein precipitant onto a temperature controlled surface such that admixture of said plasma and protein precipitant occurs substantially simultaneously upon impingement of said jet streams upon said temperature controlled surface so that precipitation of said protein fraction comprising globulin is initiated without significant foaming and turbulence of said mixture which denatures said protein fraction and such that when the precipitation reaction is exothermic, the resultant increase in temperature does not result in denaturation of said protein fraction; and collecting the protein fraction which precipitates from said plasma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said jet streams convergent are projected from outlets the diameters of which are no greater than 2mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the miniature jets are formed by nozzle orifices having diameters in the range 0.5mm to 2mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the globulin is α, β, or γ globulin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said precipitant is an electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said precipitant is ethanol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said temperature controlled surface is cooled when said precipitation reaction is exothermic.