Implantable containment apparatus for a therapeutical device and method for loading and reloading the device therein
First Claim
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1. A method of repeatedly filling and emptying an implantable containment apparatus tube with a therapeutical device, which comprises:
- (a) providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a tube comprised of a selectively permeable polymeric material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space of substantially uniform diameter, and an access means at each end of the tube that permits access to the luminal space of the tube;
(b) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube to access the luminal space of the tube;
(c) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube;
(d) connecting the fluid stream means of step (c) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube;
(e) establishing a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube with the fluid stream means of step (c);
(f) entraining a therapeutical device in the fluid stream;
(g) delivering the entrained therapeutical device into the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream;
(h) discontinuing the fluid stream;
(i) disconnecting the fluid stream means of step (c) from the opened access means;
(j) closing both access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus;
(k) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus;
(l) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus;
(m) connecting the fluid stream means of step (k) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus;
(n) establishing a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube to entrain the therapeutical device in the fluid stream;
(o) removing the entrained therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream of step (n); and
(p) repeating steps (c) through (o) as desired.
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, such as a drug delivery device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.
81 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of repeatedly filling and emptying an implantable containment apparatus tube with a therapeutical device, which comprises:
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(a) providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a tube comprised of a selectively permeable polymeric material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space of substantially uniform diameter, and an access means at each end of the tube that permits access to the luminal space of the tube; (b) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube to access the luminal space of the tube; (c) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (d) connecting the fluid stream means of step (c) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (e) establishing a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube with the fluid stream means of step (c); (f) entraining a therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (g) delivering the entrained therapeutical device into the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream; (h) discontinuing the fluid stream; (i) disconnecting the fluid stream means of step (c) from the opened access means; (j) closing both access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (k) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (l) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (m) connecting the fluid stream means of step (k) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (n) establishing a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube to entrain the therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (o) removing the entrained therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream of step (n); and (p) repeating steps (c) through (o) as desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
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Original AssigneeGore Hybrid Technologies, Inc.
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InventorsMish, Stanley L., Butler, Mark D.
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Primary Examiner(s)Millin, Vincent
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Assistant Examiner(s)RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
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Application NumberUS08/479,932Time in Patent Office699 DaysField of Search604/19, 604/52, 604/27, 604/28, 604/21, 604/49, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/93, 623/12US Class Current604/500CPC Class CodesA61F 2/022 Artificial gland structures...
