Method for loading and reloading a therapeutical device in a vascularized implantable containment apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method of loading and reloading a therapeutical device in a vascularized containment apparatus which comprises:
- providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a chamber comprised of a material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space, and at least one access means through which at least one therapeutical device is insertable into the luminal space of the chamber, wherein the material is impervious to cellular ingrowth across the interior surface of the chamber, wherein therapeutic substances can diffuse across the thickness of the chamber between a therapeutical device contained therein and tissues of a recipient, wherein the therapeutical device is removable from the chamber through the access means of the chamber;
implanting the implantable containment apparatus in a recipient;
allowing cells from the recipient to ingrow the material;
opening the access means of the implantable containment apparatus to access the luminal space of the chamber;
placing a therapeutical device in the luminal space of the chamber through the access means;
closing the access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the apparatus;
removing the therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus through the access means; and
reloading the containment apparatus with a therapeutical device through the access means as desired.
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to a method of loading and reloading a therapeutical device in a vascularized implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. Suitable therapeutical devices for use in the present invention include devices such as drug delivery devices, cell encapsulation devices, or gene therapy devices. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in a vascularized apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.
353 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of loading and reloading a therapeutical device in a vascularized containment apparatus which comprises:
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providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a chamber comprised of a material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space, and at least one access means through which at least one therapeutical device is insertable into the luminal space of the chamber, wherein the material is impervious to cellular ingrowth across the interior surface of the chamber, wherein therapeutic substances can diffuse across the thickness of the chamber between a therapeutical device contained therein and tissues of a recipient, wherein the therapeutical device is removable from the chamber through the access means of the chamber; implanting the implantable containment apparatus in a recipient; allowing cells from the recipient to ingrow the material; opening the access means of the implantable containment apparatus to access the luminal space of the chamber; placing a therapeutical device in the luminal space of the chamber through the access means; closing the access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the apparatus; removing the therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus through the access means; and reloading the containment apparatus with a therapeutical device through the access means as desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of loading and reloading a therapeutical device in a vascularized implantable containment apparatus which comprises:
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providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a chamber comprised of a material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space, and at least one access means through which at least one therapeutical device is insertable into the luminal space of the chamber, wherein the material is impervious to cellular ingrowth across the interior surface of the chamber, wherein therapeutic substances can diffuse across the thickness of the chamber between a therapeutical device contained therein and tissues of a recipient, wherein the therapeutical device is removable from the chamber through the access means of the chamber; implanting the implantable containment apparatus in a recipient; inducing cells from a recipient to ingrow the material; opening the access means of the implantable containment apparatus to access the luminal space of the tube; and placing a therapeutical device in the luminal space of the chamber through the access means; removing the therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus through the access means; and reloading the containment apparatus with a therapeutical device through the access means as desired. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification