Biochemically active matrix for use in a bio-artificial organ

• US 4,438,198 A
• Filed: 09/30/1981
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• 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): NAFF, DAVID M
• Application Number:
  US06/307,073
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 435/174, 435/176, 435/177, 435/178, 435/180, 435/181, 435/182, 435/288, 435/229, 435/69, 210/927
• US Class Current: 435/178
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/02 Enzymes or microbial cells immobilised on or in an organic carrier
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/10 the carrier being a carbohydrate

Abstract

A biochemically active matrix for use in a bio-artificial organ is disclosed. The biochemically active matrix has an enzyme covalently bonded to a matrix of organochemically cross-linked fibrin. The matrix may be suspended in a medium of agarose which irreversibly solidifies below 37° C. The bio-artificial organ is useful for extracorporeal treatment of blood to remove excess substrate from the blood. .

Claims

1. A biochemically active matrix suitable for use in a bio-artificial organ comprising at least one biochemically active enzyme covalently bonded to the surface of a carrier matrix of organochemically cross-linked fibrin through a reactive group of the enzyme which is not essential for its enzymatic activity and suspended in a medium of agarose which irreversibly solidifies below 37°

C.

2. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the biochemically active enzyme is covalently bonded to the surface of the matrix by glutaraldehyde.

3. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein the biochemically active enzyme is L-asparaginase.

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 biochemically active enzyme is indolyl-3-alkane-α

-hydroxylase.

6. The biochemically active matrix of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is asparaginase and is covalently bonded by glutaraldehyde.

7. A bio-artificial organ comprising:

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

(b) a carrier matrix of organochemically cross-linked fibrin disposed within the reactor, said carrier matrix being suspended in a medium of agarose which gels irreversibly below 37°

C.; and

(c) a biochemically active enzyme covalently bonded to the surface of the matrix through a reactive group of the enzyme which is not essential for its enzymatic activity.

8. The bio-artificial organ of claim 7 wherein the biochemically active enzyme is covalently bonded to the surface of the matrix by glutaraldehyde.

9. The bio-artificial organ of claim 7 the biochemically active enzyme is L-asparaginase.

10. The bio-artificial organ of claim 7 wherein the carrier matrix is disposed on a physical support means.