Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UVBI)
Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UBI)
Industry clinical and economic procedure passport. Full biological mechanism (MoA), patient preparation protocol, first-choice equipment fleet, integration into the resort's master treatment rooms and market price benchmarks.
Clinical profile
Irradiation of the patient's own blood with ultraviolet light (in a device or via a light guide in a vein). The method has been known since the 1940s; PubMed mainly contains reviews and experimental papers, and randomised clinical trials are still few.
Every statement links to a publication in the list below. This is a snapshot of published research, not a final assessment of the method: international practice and integrated protocols often run ahead of official publications. Draft based on published research; requires review by a physician. Revision: 2026-10-17.
Mechanism of action
- Ultraviolet blood irradiation, unlike extracorporeal photopheresis, tends to stimulate the immune system. [1]
Where studies show an effect
- Historically the method (Knott technique) was used for bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, and viral ones such as hepatitis and influenza. [3]
Open questions and study limitations
Safety
- The effect is dose-dependent: there is an optimum, and higher doses may cause damage. [2]
Equipment fleet and fit-out
Certified first-choice medical equipment and compatible device systems
Device platform with proven validation of the biological response. Includes built-in biofeedback sensor systems, patient protection protocols and precision dosing of exposure.
Architectural integration and treatment rooms
Resort rooms housing the treatment station (with SanPiN norms and MEP loads)
Unit economics and resort price benchmarks
Market analysis based on a sample of premium sanatoriums, wellness hotels and preventive medicine clinics
Median of prices in industry facilities' price lists, 2026
Prices for this procedure appear in the price lists of 2 industry facilities; the median and interquartile range across facilities are shown (each facility counts once).
Evidence base
Only reviews, historical data and technical papers; no randomised clinical trials.
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1.
Ultraviolet Irradiation of Blood: "The Cure That Time Forgot"?Adv Exp Med Biol, 2017 · Review · PMID 29124710UV blood irradiation, unlike photopheresis, tends to stimulate immunity; the method is "forgotten" and needs study.
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2.
Ultraviolet blood irradiation: Is it time to remember "the cure that time forgot"?J Photochem Photobiol B, 2016 · Review · PMID 26894849There is an optimal irradiation dose; higher doses may cause damage.
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3.
Use of Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Against Viral Infections.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol, 2021 · Review · PMID 33026601The Knott technique was historically used for bacterial and viral infections; further research is needed.
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4.
[Blood irradiation by ultraviolet rays].Med Tekh, 1999 · Technical review · PMID 10439385Intravascular irradiators do not deliver to blood cells the energy needed for a therapeutic effect.
Publications were found in PubMed; titles and journals are given verbatim, conclusions are a brief summary of the abstracts under the conditions of the specific studies. The level shows the volume of published data, not the value of the method: A — Plenty of data: consistent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs; B — Some data: reviews or several RCTs, results are heterogeneous; C — Little data: single RCTs or controlled studies; D — Scarce data: mainly reviews, observational and experimental studies. The passport is updated as new work is published and with regard to international practice.