Bio-artificial organ using microencapsulated enzymes

• US 4,431,428 A
• Filed: 09/30/1981
• Issued: 02/14/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automedix Sciences, Inc. (ICF Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Trimedyne Incorporated (InnovaQuartz, LLC)
• Inventors: Schmer, Gottfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wallen, T. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/306,910
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 424/22, 424/16, 424/32, 604/890, 604/891, 604/892, 604/897, 128/1 R, 128/130, 3/1
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3687 Chemical treatment A61M1/3675 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3689 by biological cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/04 entrapped within the carrier, e.g. gel or hollow fibres

Abstract

A bio-artificial organ containing a biochemically active matrix is disclosed. The biochemically active matrix includes biochemically active enzyme-containing microcapsules entrapped within a gel matrix. An extracorporeal blood flow can be passed through the organ and over the biochemically active matrix to permit the enzyme to perform its enzymatic function on a substrate in the blood.

Claims

1. A biochemically active matrix suitable for use in bio-artificial organ comprising at least one biochemically active enzyme disposed within a plurality of semi-permeable microcapsules which are entrapped within a gel matrix, the gel matrix and microcapsule each having a permeability such that the substrate and enzyme-substrate reaction products pass to and from the microencapsulated enzyme.

2. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the microcapsules are red cell ghosts.

3. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the microcapsule wall is made of a synthetic material.

4. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the biochemically active enzyme is urease.

5. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the gel matrix is formed of a polysaccharide.

6. The biochemically active matrix of claim 5 wherein the gel matrix is formed of an irreversibly gelled agarose.

7. The biochemically active matrix of claim 6 wherein the agarose has a temperature of irreversible gelation of about 37°

C.

8. A biochemically active matrix for use in a bio-artificial organ comprising:

a biochemically active enzyme disposed within a plurality of red cell ghosts which are entrapped within an agarose gel having a permeability such that substrate and enzyme-substrate reaction product can pass and to from the enzyme.

9. A bio-artificial organ comprising, in operative combination:

(a) a reactor housing defining an enclosed space, an inlet and an outlet, and the inner surface of the reactor being of material compatible with an extracorporeal blood flow;

(b) a gel matrix within the reactor housing;

(c) a plurality of semi-permeable microcapsules entrapped within the gel matrix; and

(d) a biochemically active enzyme disposed within the microcapsules;

the gel matrix and the microcapsules each being permeable to substrate and enzyme-substrate reaction products.

10. A bio-artificial organ of claim 9 wherein the gel matrix is formed of an agarose which irreversibly gels at a temperature of about 37°

C.

11. The bio-artificial organ of claim 9 wherein the microcapsules are red cell ghosts.

12. The bio-artificial organ of claim 9 wherein the gel matrix is disposed on a physical support means positioned within the reactor housing.