Encapsulation device

• US 6,042,909 A
• Filed: 09/03/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arbios Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CB Biomedical, Inc. (Arbios Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Perlman, Timothy J., Dunleavy, Karen E., Mullon, Claudy J. P., Gagnon, Kerry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Ellis
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAYFORD, SANDRA M
• Application Number:
  US08/922,910
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 428/35.2, 428/35.7, 428/36.6, 428/36.9, 428/200, 428/347, 428/355 N, 428/424.6, 428/424.7, 424/9.1, 424/9.2, 424/422, 424/423, 424/424, 424/DIG. 7, 206/438, 206/524.1, 206/524.68, 206/524.7, 206/828, 604/891.1, 604/892.2, 623/113, 525/937, 128/898, 435/395, 435/400, 435/401, 435/402
• US Class Current: 428/35.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/828 Medicinal content
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 424/07 Microporous membranes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1379 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/139 Open-ended, self-supporting conduit, cylinder, or tube-type article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24843 with heat sealable or heat releasable adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2817 Heat sealable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2896 including nitrogen containing condensation polymer [e.g., polyurethane, polyisocyanate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3158 Halide monomer type [polyvinyl chloride, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31583 Nitrile monomer type [polyacrylonitrile, etc.]

Abstract

The invention features an empty device for receiving a bioactive agent. The device includes a biocompatible and semi-permeable membrane that defines an enclosed space; the membrane also has at least one end that defines an opening for introducing the bioactive agent into the enclosed space. The device is configured to be placed in an animal.

In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane has an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface defines the inner surface, and includes a biocompatible adhesive in the general region of the opening to allow sealing of the opening after the introduction of the bioactive agent into the enclosed space.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a biocompatible frame mounted in supporting relationship to the membrane and defining an opening for introducing the bioactive agent into the enclosed space. The frame has greater porosity than the membrane.

Claims

1. An empty device for receiving a bioactive agent, comprising:

a biocompatible and semi-permeable membrane having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface defines an enclosed space;

said membrane also having one end that defines an opening for introducing the bioactive agent into said enclosed space; and

a biocompatible adhesive in the general region of said opening to allow sealing of said opening after the introduction of the bioactive agent into said enclosed space, wherein said biocompatible adhesive is a heat sealable polymer conduit extending beyond said end of said membrane for a length sufficient to allow heat sealing of said conduit without causing said membrane to be contacted with a heated element in the heat sealing process;

said conduit overlapping and being secured to a terminal portion of the outer surface of said membrane,

wherein said device is configured to be placed in an animal and said membrane is in the form of a preformed bag.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said membrane has a hydraulic permeability of 8-70 ml/min/m² /mmHg and a molecular weight cut-off value of 20-150 Kdal.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said membrane has a hydraulic permeability of 25-50 ml/min/m² /mmHg.