Implantable delivery system for biological factors
First Claim
1. A delivery device for delivering a biologically active factor to a subject, the device comprising:
- a cell reservoir means for receiving at least one active, factor-secreting cell, said means including a chamber having at least one semipermeable membrane, said membrane adapted to be held in contact with a source of body fluid for introducing body fluid into said reservoir means; and
pumping means for transporting a secreted active factor from said reservoir means to a selected region in a subject, whereby at least one active, factor-secreting cell is located within said reservoir means for secreting an active factor, which active factor is carried to said selected region via body fluid introduced into said reservoir through said membrane.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are disclosed to provide hybrid, modular systems for the constitutive delivery of appropriate dosages of active factor to a subject and, in some instances, to specific anatomical regions of the subject. The systems include a cell reservoir containing living cells capable of secreting an active agent, which is preferably adapted for implantation within the body of the subject and further includes at least one semipermeable membrane, whereby the transplanted cells can be nourished by nutrients transported across the membrane while at the same time protected from immunological, bacterial, and viral assault. The systems further include a pumping means, which can be implantable or extracorporeal, for drawing a body fluid from the subject into the cell reservoir and for actively transporting the secreted biological factors from the cell reservoir to a selected region of the subject.
414 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A delivery device for delivering a biologically active factor to a subject, the device comprising:
- a cell reservoir means for receiving at least one active, factor-secreting cell, said means including a chamber having at least one semipermeable membrane, said membrane adapted to be held in contact with a source of body fluid for introducing body fluid into said reservoir means; and
pumping means for transporting a secreted active factor from said reservoir means to a selected region in a subject, whereby at least one active, factor-secreting cell is located within said reservoir means for secreting an active factor, which active factor is carried to said selected region via body fluid introduced into said reservoir through said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a cell reservoir means for receiving at least one active, factor-secreting cell, said means including a chamber having at least one semipermeable membrane, said membrane adapted to be held in contact with a source of body fluid for introducing body fluid into said reservoir means; and
-
12. A delivery device for delivering a biologically active factor to a selected region in a living subject, the device comprising:
-
a cell reservoir means for receiving at least one active, factor-secreting cell, including a chamber having at least one semipermeable membrane, said membrane comprising means for permeation into said reservoir means of selected body fluid from a source of body fluid and means for permeation of a portion of said selected body fluid out of said reservoir along with an active factor secreted by said at least one cell, and pump means for transporting said selected body fluid, whereby at least one active, factor-secreting cell is located within said reservoir means for secreting an active factor, which active factor is transported by said transported selected body fluid for delivery to a selected region in the living subject.
-
Specification