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Encapsulation of live animal cells

  • US 4,353,888 A
  • Filed: 12/23/1980
  • Issued: 10/12/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for preparing micro-encapsulated viable mammalian cells for introduction to host, living mammalian tissue, which comprises:

  • (a) preparing an aqueous suspension of said viable mammalian cells;

    (b) dispersing the aqueous suspension of cells in a relatively high molecular weight, hydrophobic, non-toxic, non-cell-penetrating liquid and agitating the dispersion to form an emulsion having a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising droplets containing small numbers of said viable cells;

    (c) adding to the emulsion so formed a solution of a biocompatible, water-insoluble polymer in a polar, non-toxic liquid solvent for said polymer;

    (d) precipitating the polymer at the interface of the aqueous, cell-containing droplets and the hydrophobic phase so as to encapsulate some at least of the cells in said droplets with a membrane of said polymer which will allow passage of cell substrates and secretions, but will prevent the passage of larger molecules; and

    (e) separating the bulk of the hydrophobic medium from the encapsulated cellular material.

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