Neurological therapy devices
First Claim
1. A neurological therapy device for the local and controlled delivery of a neurotransmitter to the brain of a subject, said device comprising:
- a source of neurotransmitter including at least one neurotransmitter-secreting cell encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane, said semipermeable membrane allowing the diffusion therethrough of said neurotransmitter; and
a source of a growth factor located in close proximity to said encapsulated, neurotransmitter-producing cell for the maintenance of said neurotransmitter-producing cell,said source of said growth factor selected from the group consisting of an implantable, biocompatible, polymeric insert containing said growth factor, and at least one growth factor-producing cell encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane that allows the diffusion therethrough of said growth factor,said source of neurotransmitter and said source of growth factor including access means for retrieval from the brain.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Neurological therapy devices are disclosed for the local and controlled delivery of a neurotransmitter to the brain of a subject suffering from neurotransmitter deficiency or dysfunction. In one embodiment the device includes a biocompatible, implantable, and retrievable polymeric insert including a source of neurotransmitter embedded therein. In another embodiment, the device includes a retrievable source of neurotransmitter including at least one neurotransmitter-secreting cell encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane allowing the diffusion therethrough of the neurotransmitter, and further includes a source of growth factor in close proximity to the neurotransmitter-secreting cells.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A neurological therapy device for the local and controlled delivery of a neurotransmitter to the brain of a subject, said device comprising:
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a source of neurotransmitter including at least one neurotransmitter-secreting cell encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane, said semipermeable membrane allowing the diffusion therethrough of said neurotransmitter; and a source of a growth factor located in close proximity to said encapsulated, neurotransmitter-producing cell for the maintenance of said neurotransmitter-producing cell, said source of said growth factor selected from the group consisting of an implantable, biocompatible, polymeric insert containing said growth factor, and at least one growth factor-producing cell encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane that allows the diffusion therethrough of said growth factor, said source of neurotransmitter and said source of growth factor including access means for retrieval from the brain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification