How PolyHeme®
Is Made
Northfield uses a proprietary process of separation, filtration,
chemical modification, purification and formulation to produce PolyHeme®.
First, hemoglobin is extracted from red blood
cells and filtered to remove impurities. This purified hemoglobin
is then chemically modified and purified using a multi-step process
to create a polymerized form of hemoglobin. This process is illustrated
below. The modified hemoglobin is then incorporated into an electrolyte
solution.
Polymerization is intended to eliminate the undesirable effects
historically associated with hemoglobin-based blood substitutes:
vasoconstriction, kidney dysfunction, liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal
distress.
One unit of PolyHeme® contains 50 grams
of modified hemoglobin, approximately the same mass of hemoglobin
delivered by one unit of red blood cells.
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