The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 1991
Filed:
Aug. 25, 1989
William L Chick, Wellesley, MA (US);
Susan J Sullivan, Newton, MA (US);
Kermit M Borland, Worcester, MA (US);
John M Harvey, Worcester, MA (US);
Thomas E Muller, Concord, MA (US);
Karen E Dunleavy, Billerica, MA (US);
Donald P King, Jr, Haverhill, MA (US);
Edward J Doherty, Waltham, MA (US);
Barry A Solomon, Bedford, MA (US);
Amy L Foley, Framingham, MA (US);
W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
A device which serves as an artificial pancreas comprises a hollow fiber having an inner diameter of about 5 mm which is surrounded by islets of Langerhans enclosed in a housing. The islets are suspended in a semi-solid matrix which ensures desired distribution of the cells about the hollow fiber. The hollow fiber and suspended islets are enclosed in a housing which further aids the desired distribution of islets about the hollow fiber. The hollow fiber has a porosity which selectively allows passage of substances having a molecular weight of less than about 100,000 Daltons. The semi-solid matrix in which the islets are embedded and suspended is formed of an appropriate supporting material such as alginate or agar.