Apparatus and method for encapsulating pancreatic cells
First Claim
1. An apparatus for coating micron-sized or sub-micron-sized particles, comprising:
- an encapsulation chamber including a first fluid layer of either water or an aqueous solution, the first fluid layer disposed on a second fluid layer of a fluid incompatible with the first layer;
a particle feed tube including a particle passage in combination with a feed tube opening at a discharge end of the particle feed tube, the feed tube opening disposed in the first fluid layer;
a particle feed device in communication with an end of the particle passage opposite the feed tube opening, the particle feed device comprising a particle discharge channel having a particle discharge channel opening in combination with the end of the particle passage, and a polymer solution injection channel having an injection channel opening in combination with the end of the particle passage;
a particle withdrawal tube including a first end in combination with the encapsulation chamber and connected at a second end to a filtration device; and
a valveless pump connected to the particle withdrawal tube between the first end and the second end.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for coating micron-sized or sub-micron-sized particles such as living cells. The coating apparatus includes an encapsulation chamber enclosing a two-layer water-oil system for coating each islet cell with an aqueous polymeric coat. Islets together with an aqueous polymer solution are fed by a feed device that utilizes the principle of hydrodynamic focusing in order to ensure encapsulation of individual islets. The polymer in the aqueous coat is subsequently crosslinked by being exposed to laser light to produce structurally stable microcapsules of controllable thickness of the order of tens of microns. Encapsulated islets are removed from the encapsulation chamber by a valveless pump and recovered by filtration or centrifugation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for coating micron-sized or sub-micron-sized particles, comprising:
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an encapsulation chamber including a first fluid layer of either water or an aqueous solution, the first fluid layer disposed on a second fluid layer of a fluid incompatible with the first layer; a particle feed tube including a particle passage in combination with a feed tube opening at a discharge end of the particle feed tube, the feed tube opening disposed in the first fluid layer; a particle feed device in communication with an end of the particle passage opposite the feed tube opening, the particle feed device comprising a particle discharge channel having a particle discharge channel opening in combination with the end of the particle passage, and a polymer solution injection channel having an injection channel opening in combination with the end of the particle passage; a particle withdrawal tube including a first end in combination with the encapsulation chamber and connected at a second end to a filtration device; and a valveless pump connected to the particle withdrawal tube between the first end and the second end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for coating micron-sized or sub-micron-sized particles, comprising:
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an encapsulation chamber enclosing an aqueous fluid layer disposed on an oil fluid layer; a continuous particle feed device in combination with the encapsulation chamber by a particle feed tube including a particle passage and a feed tube opening disposed in the aqueous fluid layer; the particle feed device including a particle discharge channel having a particle discharge channel opening in combination with a first end of the particle passage, the particle feed device further including two polymer solution injection channels adjacent the particle discharge channel and each having an injection channel opening in combination with the first end of the particle passage; a particle withdrawal tube connected at a first end to the encapsulation chamber and connected at a second end to a filtration device; and a valveless pump connected to the particle withdrawal tube between the first end and the second end. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification