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Artificial pancreatic perfusion device with reseedable matrix

  • US 5,116,493 A
  • Filed: 03/25/1991
  • Issued: 05/26/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An artificial pancreatic perfusion device for providing insulin to an individual, the device comprising:

  • a) a hollow fiber having one end connected to a blood vessel through a connecting means to receive blood from the individual and an opposite end connected to a blood vessel through a second connecting means to return blood to the individual, the hollow fiber having a porosity which selectively allows substances to pass transversely therethrough, such that blood flows within the hollow fiber, along the length of the fiber; and

    b) a housing containing a suspension of pancreatic islets of Langerhans, the suspension including pancreatic islets distributed in a supporting material about the hollow fiber such that the hollow fiber is surrounded by pancreatic islets along its length, the supporting material characterized by (i) being sufficiently viscous to maintain distribution of the islets with respect to the hollow fiber, and (ii) being sufficiently fluid to enable removal of the islet suspension for subsequent replacement thereof.

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