Brown University

Neurotech, Usa, Inc.

John F Mills

Edward J Doherty

Nicholas F Warner

Keith E Dionne

Brian M Cain

David H Rein

Tyrone F Hazlett

Patrick A Tresco

Patrick Aebischer

Lars Wahlberg

Konrad A Kauper

Arne M Nystuen

Megan Billings

Michael R Rivera

Alline Monteiro Alcantara Lelis

Sandy Sherman

The invention provides multi-chamber encapsulated cell therapy cartridge devices that are capable of delivering biologically active molecules as well as methods of using these devices.

Encapsulated cell therapy cartridge

A sealed, implantable, encapsulation device (20) for diffusing a biologically active product or function to an individual which includes a substantially non-porous fitting (32) including an inner surface (33) defining an access port (34). A permselective, porous, membrane (21), having an interior surface (22), cooperates with the fitting inner surface (33) to form a storage cavity (23) therebetween. The membrane interior surface (22) is in substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement with fitting (32) to seal cavity (23). Living cells (24) are disposed in the cavity (23) which are capable of secreting the biologically active product to an individual. The membrane (21) is of a material capable of permitting the passage of substances between the individual and cells required to provide the biological product or function. A plug member (35) is positioned in the access port (34) and seated in cell-tight sealing engagement with the fitting inner surface (33). A method for sealing the implantable encapsulation device (20) is also provided.

Method and apparatus for sealing implantable membrane encapsulation

Method and apparatus for sealing implantable, membrane encapsulation

A method for encapsulating biological substances in biocompatible microcapsules is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) maintaining a coating-forming liquid film sheet transverse to a vertical plane, said sheet comprising an organic polymerizable monomer liquid, (b) causing droplets comprising biological substances in an aqueous medium to fall downwardly through said liquid film sheet to form microcapsules comprising cores of said droplets coated by said film, (c) permitting said microcapsules to fall downwardly from said liquid film sheet, and (d) polymerizing said liquid film coatings during descent of said microcapsules below said sheet to form a permeable polymer coating of a sufficient structural integrity so that said microcapsules are self-supporting.

Method of encapsulating biological substances in microspheres

Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biological material, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through an inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through an outer bore. Extrusion of the coagulant is initiated subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time. This procedure can be modified to form in the capsule a coaxial rod that is connected to one end but not the other end of the capsule. This is accomplished by drawing casting solution into the inner bore after initiating extrusion of the casting solution through the outer bore, and then initiating delivery of the coagulant through the inner bore so as to coagulate the casting solution therein and form a rod, and ejecting the rod from the inner bore by pressure of the coagulant. Delivery of the coagulant and casting solution are then terminated as described above.

Preparation of elongated seamless capsules containing a coaxial rod and

A method for encapsulating a biological substance is biocompatible microcapsules is disclosed, said method comprising:

Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biologically active factor, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through the inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through the outer bore. The method involves initiating extrusion of the coagulant subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution through the respective bores to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time.

Method of preparing elongated seamless capsules containing biological

Systems are disclosed for forming an extrudate. The systems include an extrusion head assembly having at least a first inner bore and a second outer bore, a coagulant solution supply and a polymeric casting solution supply. The coagulant supply provides coagulant to the inner bore of the extrusion head assembly, and the polymeric casting solution supply provides a casting solution to the outer bore. Using this system, the coagulant and polymeric solution are coextruded to form an extrudate having a desired configuration. The present invention further includes a rapid action valve controlling at least one of the coagulant or polymer supplies.

Growing community of inventors

Wakefield, RI, United States of America

John F Mills