Cell or drug encapsulation device having a wet seal

• US 20040191893A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Inventors: Kram, Brian H., Newman, Steven C., Hubbard, Terry A.
• Application Number:
  US10/462,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20040191893A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/295.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/022 Artificial gland structures using bioreactors hemodialysis A61M1/16; hemofiltration A61M1/34; other extracorporeal blood treatment A61M1/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L

Abstract

A biologically implantable containment device having a wet seal, the device being adaptable for drug formulations or cell suspensions. A porous membrane, in a tubular configuration, is formed and can be configured as part of a closed cell-tight system for loading. During loading, the containment device membrane is wet, while the loading system remains cell-tight. The containment device is wet-sealed through a combination of heat and pressure, while the system remains cell-tight. Sealing the containment device substantially or completely eliminates metabolic functioning of any organisms in the vicinity of the closure. The wet-seal is formed by melting a thermoplastic material that is in contact with the membrane. The containment device is separated from the cell-tight loading system, which remains closed after separation.

Claims

1. A cell containment device comprising:

a permeable membrane delimiting a space for containing cells therein;

a closure region comprising a thermoplastic polymer in association with the permeable membrane and means for placing cells in said space through said closure region;

wherein said closure region is closeable with a wet seal.

2. A containment device comprising:

a membrane;

a polymer in communication with the membrane; and

at least one closure, the closure created by applying heat to a portion of the membrane and to a portion of the polymer after wetting the membrane with a liquid.

3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a cell suspension within a space enclosed by the membrane.

4. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a drug formulation within a space enclosed by the membrane.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the membrane includes a polymer membrane.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the membrane includes a porous PTFE membrane.

7. A device according to claim 2, wherein the membrane substantially surrounds the polymer.

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the membrane is substantially tubular.

9. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a closure on a first end of the tubular membrane and the closure created by applying heat is on a second end of the tubular membrane.

10. A device according to claim 2, wherein the polymer includes FEP.

11. A device according to claim 2, wherein the polymer is distinct from the membrane.

12. A device according to claim 2, wherein the closure is substantially part of the polymer.

13. A device according to claim 2, wherein the closure is substantially separate from the membrane.