Liver-mimetic device and method for simulation of hepatic function using such device

US10954489B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of California · US
• NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT · US

Inventors

• Xin Qu · Houston, US
• Maling Gou · Sichuan, CN
• Wei Zhu · San Diego, US
• Shaochen Chen · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 2014
• Grant date: Mar 23, 2021
• Expiry date: May 11, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2533/80
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A liver-mimetic device and method include a 3D polymer scaffold having a matrix of liver-like lobules with hepatic-functioning particles encapsulated within the lobules. In some embodiments, each liver-like lobule is hexagonal in structure and the matrix is in a honeycomb arrangement. In some embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are hepatic progenitor cells. In other embodiments, the hepatic-functioning particles are polymer nanoparticles adapted to capture pore-forming toxins.