| Title: BIOLOGICAL DEVICES OF SEMIPERMEABLE AMPHIPHILIC MEMBRANES Inventor(s):
J. Kennedy, S. Shamlou, R. P. Levy
Disclosure No. 279 U.S. Patent not yet issued
An implantable biological device, which is both biocompatible and hemocompatible,
including a semipermeable membrane capable of encapsulating biological cells, such as
pancreatic islets, and capable of immunoisolating the biological cells upon introduction
into the body.
The semipermeable membrane includes an amphiphilic copolymer network having both
hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. This amphiphilic copolymer is not a new material as
Dr. Kennedy has developed a series of polymers and networks covered by U.S. Patents
5,073,381, 4,942,204 and 4,888,389.
The unique membrane employed allows the encased cells to impact the physiological
environment in which the biological device is implanted, by selectively regulating the
passage of biological material in and out of the device.
This device is ideally suitable for the treatment of Type I diabetes or
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) by providing to a diabetic an implantable
biological device having encased therein pancreatic islets that are immunoisolated. Invivo
tests with animals are underway. It is anticipated that treatment of other disorders can
make use of this membrane. |
