Device for maintaining vascularization near an implant
First Claim
1. An implantable hemofilter device capable of collecting an ultrafiltrate and comprising an ultrafiltrate collection network, and first cells,wherein the first cells produce at least one angiogenic product,wherein the ultrafiltrate collection network comprises a first permeable membrane component at least partially defining a first cavity and a second permeable membrane component at least partially defining a second cavity, and wherein the first and second cavities are exclusive of each other and are in fluid communication with each other,wherein the first cavity contains the first cells,wherein the second cavity collects the ultrafiltrate and remains essentially clear of the first cells, and wherein the angiogenic product of the first cells in the first cavity induces or maintains surrounding vascularization.
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Abstract
A device and a method of maintaining vascularization near an implant, especially a bioartificial hemofilter. By associating cells that excrete angiogenic factors with such an implant, vascularization to the tissue surrounding the implant can be maintained. In a bioartificial hemofilter, this facilitates filtrate transport to a collection fiber for drainage from the body. The cells can be genetically engineered, for example using an adenovirus vector encoding for vascular endothelial growth factor. Myoblasts and myotubes may be used in one embodiment of the present invention.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An implantable hemofilter device capable of collecting an ultrafiltrate and comprising an ultrafiltrate collection network, and first cells,
wherein the first cells produce at least one angiogenic product, wherein the ultrafiltrate collection network comprises a first permeable membrane component at least partially defining a first cavity and a second permeable membrane component at least partially defining a second cavity, and wherein the first and second cavities are exclusive of each other and are in fluid communication with each other, wherein the first cavity contains the first cells, wherein the second cavity collects the ultrafiltrate and remains essentially clear of the first cells, and wherein the angiogenic product of the first cells in the first cavity induces or maintains surrounding vascularization.
Specification