Vascular prosthesis containing in the wall microcapsules, including hormone-producing cells

• US 5,104,403 A
• Filed: 07/05/1990
• Issued: 04/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Giovanni Brotzu Piazza Garibaldi
• Original Assignee: Giovanni Brotzu
• Inventors: Calafiore, Riccardo, Brotzu, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRITTINGHAM, DEBRA
• Application Number:
  US07/548,372
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1, 623/11, 623/12, 623/66
• US Class Current: 623/1.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/43 Hormones, e.g. dexamethasone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/622 Microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/64 Animal cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/507 for artificial blood vessels apparatus for applying cells on a blood vessel prosthesis A61F2/062
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence

Abstract

A vascular prosthesis having a low porosity outer material such as FTFE, and an inner synthetic tubular mesh. Semi-permeable microcapsules that contain hormone-producing cells, are placed between the outer material and the inner mesh. The microcapsules are preferably made of polysaccharides or amino-acid polymers.

Claims

1. A vascular prosthesis comprising an outer material having a low porosity and an inner tubular porous mesh of synthetic material said porous mesh having a porosity to allow oxygen and hormones to pass therethrough;

and microcapsules disposed between said outer material and said inner tubular mesh, said microcapsules being made of a semi-permeable material and containing hormone-producing cells whereby hematic flow through said vascular prosthesis allows for metabolism of the cells and circulation of the hormones secreted by said cells.

5. The prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said outer material comprises PTFE.

6. The prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said microcapsules are comprised of a polysaccharide or an amino-acid polymer.

7. The prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein said microcapsules contain Langerhans islands cells.

2. The prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein said tubular mesh comprises polyester or polytetrafluoroethylene fibers.

3. The prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein said tubular mesh has an internal diameter of between 4 and 14 mm.

4. The prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein the free space between the filaments of said tubular mesh is between 10 and 300 micron.