California Institute of Technology

University of California

Cite of Hope

Kuang-Ming Shang

Yu-Chong Tai

Azita Emami

Olajire Idowu

Sunghoon Kim

Shane S Shahrestani

Aubrey M Shapero

Abhinav Agarwal

Kurtis I Auguste

Hirotake Komatsu

A two-dimensional lattice or mesh scaffold for therapeutic cell implants is disclosed as well as methods for manufacture and use. The lattice is constructed of crisscrossing capillaries of hydrophobic parylene, such as parylene AF4, that may be coated with a hydrophilic polymer, such as parylene C, for cell adhesion. At each intersection of the crisscross, the intersecting capillaries are internally connected so as to allow oxygen to flow freely within. The walls of the capillaries are thin enough to be permeable to oxygen, on the scale of a micron thick, so that oxygen can flow through the lattice and permeate through the capillary walls. For some implants, cells are sandwiched between two or more lattices, the cells being slightly held apart from aggregation with each other by the lattice holes. The implants may then be surgically implanted within a subject.

Microcapillary mesh oxygen transporter for cell transplantations

A long-lasting, wireless, biocompatible pressure sensor device is integrated within a hydrocephalus shunt, either within the shunt's reservoir/anchor or as an inline or pigtailed connector. When integrated within a typical reservoir, the device can sit within the reservoir's hollow frustum area covered by the resilient silicone dome of the reservoir. When integrated as an inline connector, the device can sit at any point on the peritoneal catheter or ventricular catheter, including between the VP shut's valve and reservoir. The pressure sensor device includes electronics that can be powered wirelessly by a reader held to a patient's scalp, and so no battery may be required. The reader can transmit an ambient, atmospheric pressure reading from outside the skull to the implanted device so that its electronics can calculate a calibrated gauge pressure internally and then relay it to a patient's smart phone.

Implantable intracranial pressure sensor

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Kuang-Ming Shang