Expanding the dimension of blood purification
CytoSorbents’ technology represents an advanced approach to hemoadsorption — and it all starts with a bead. All our solutions are based on a proprietary, biocompatible, and highly porous polymer bead platform, designed to adsorb selected substances from blood or plasma that, at excessive levels, may be harmful to the body.
The power of bead technology
CytoSorbents’ advanced bead technology – based on beads no larger than grains of salt – is ISO 10993 certified for biocompatibility and hemocompatibility.
Targeted and selective
Only small and middle-sized molecules—up to approximately 60 kDa—can enter the inner porous structure of the polymer beads. This size selectivity excludes larger plasma proteins such as albumin, coagulation factors, and immunoglobulins from relevant adsorption.
Adsorption of hydrophobic substances
Adsorption refers to the attachment of molecules onto a surface through physico-chemical interactions, whereas processes such as dialysis rely on diffusion or convection. Molecules with hydrophobic structural characteristics—such as certain cytokines and antithrombotic agents—can bind to the polymer surface and become captured within the bead’s porous matrix.
High biocompatibility
The beads exhibit high bio- and hemocompatibility, as demonstrated in accordance with ISO 10993 testing. Their material properties minimize blood cell damage and reduce the risk of undesired coagulation or complement activation during use.
Concentration dependent
Substances at higher concentrations are preferentially adsorbed by the polymer beads, whereas compounds at lower concentrations are removed more slowly. This concentration-dependent behavior supports selective reduction of target molecules while maintaining physiological levels of essential components.
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Targeted and selective
Only small and middle-sized molecules—up to approximately 60 kDa—can enter the inner porous structure of the polymer beads. This size selectivity excludes larger plasma proteins such as albumin, coagulation factors, and immunoglobulins from relevant adsorption.
-
Adsorption of hydrophobic substances
Adsorption refers to the attachment of molecules onto a surface through physico-chemical interactions, whereas processes such as dialysis rely on diffusion or convection. Molecules with hydrophobic structural characteristics—such as certain cytokines and antithrombotic agents—can bind to the polymer surface and become captured within the bead’s porous matrix.
-
High biocompatibility
The beads exhibit high bio- and hemocompatibility, as demonstrated in accordance with ISO 10993 testing. Their material properties minimize blood cell damage and reduce the risk of undesired coagulation or complement activation during use.
-
Concentration dependent
Substances at higher concentrations are preferentially adsorbed by the polymer beads, whereas compounds at lower concentrations are removed more slowly. This concentration-dependent behavior supports selective reduction of target molecules while maintaining physiological levels of essential components.
What bead technology can do
CytoSorbents’ proprietary bead technology provides physicians with an advanced tool for the adsorption of selected water-insoluble substances and toxins from whole blood that are not typically accessible by conventional dialysis.
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Cytokine imbalance
Massive and uncontrolled production of cytokines — often referred to as a “cytokine storm” — can be triggered, for example, by infection in sepsis. This excessive inflammatory response may have acute, life-threatening consequences due to circulatory shock (septic or vasoplegic shock), capillary leakage, and microcirculatory disturbances, which can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and death.
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Removal of excessive cytokine levels
Adsorptive reduction of elevated cytokine concentrations is intended to support the re-balancing of inflammatory mediators in the bloodstream. By modulating the systemic inflammatory response, this mechanism may contribute to stabilization of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in patients with severe inflammation.
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Bilirubin imbalance
Bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin, is normally metabolized and excreted by the liver. In liver dysfunction or failure, bilirubin and other substances such as bile acids may accumulate. Elevated levels of these compounds can have harmful effects on particularly hepatic and other cellular functions.
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Removal of bilirubin
The technology is designed to adsorb bilirubin and other hydrophobic metabolites from whole blood contributing to the reduction of bile pigments in extracorporeal liver support therapies.
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Myoglobin imbalance
A major breakdown of skeletal muscle triggered by various factors like e.g. trauma, called rhabdomyolysis, leads to excessive release of the muscle protein myoglobin. This carries the risk of acute kidney injury.
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Reduction of the myoglobin level
The bead technology is designed for the reduction of myoglobin, aiming to support renal function.
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Imbalance caused by antithrombotic agents in the context of surgery
Antithrombotic medications can be essential in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease. They act by inhibiting platelet function or by blocking specific coagulation factors. The widespread use of these drugs can present a serious bleeding risk for patients requiring urgent surgical or interventional procedures, especially when there is insufficient time for the natural elimination of the active agents.
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Removal of anti-thrombotic agents
Intraoperative use of our bead technology is intended for the adsorptive removal of selected antithrombotic agents during cardiopulmonary bypass, aiming to support hemostatic control.
Additional Information
- Jansen et al., Crit Care 2023; 27(1):117
- Diab et al., Circ 2022; 145(13):959-968
- Scharf et al., Sci Rep 2021; 11(1);10190
- Albrecht et al., Blood Purif 2024; 53(2):88-95
- Hassan et al., JTCVS Open 2023; 15:190-196
- Chen J et al, Regenerative Biomaterials 2017; 4(1):31-37
- Waalders et al., Crit Care Med 2024; 52(4):e152-e153
- Bernardi et al., Crit Care 2016; 20(1):96
- Poli et al., Crit Care 2019; 23:108
- Gleason et al., Sem Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 31(4):783-793
- David et al., J Int Care 2017; 5:12
- Kogelmann et al., J Clin Med 2024; 13(1):294
- Soltesz et al., J Clin Med 2022; 11(12):6517
- Rugg C et al., Biomedicines 2020; 8(12):539
- Szigetvary et al., Biomed 2023; 11811):3068
- Riva et al., J Artif Orgs 2023; epub
- Grafe et al., Ren Fail 2023; 45(2):2259231
- Hassan et al., Ann Thor Cardiovasc Surg 2022; 28(3):186-192
- Hassan et al., Ann Thorac Surg 2019; 108(1):45-51
What bead technology can do
CytoSorbents’ proprietary bead technology provides physicians with an advanced tool for the adsorption of selected water-insoluble substances and protein-bound molecules that are not readily dialysable.
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