Patent · US Expired

Artificial pancreatic perfusion device with temperature sensitive matrix

US5116494A · kind A · utility

51Cited by
9References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 1991
Grant dateMay 26, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M1/1678
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device which serves as an artificial pancreas comprises a hollow fiber which is surrounded by islets of Langerhans enclosed in a housing. The islets are suspended in a temperature sensitive matrix which is sufficiently viscous to support islets at a temperature below about 45.degree. C. and sufficiently fluid to enable removal of islet suspension at a temperature above about 45.degree. C. A warm (e.g., 48.degree. to 50.degree. C.) solution may be flushed through the device to change the physical state of the temperature sensitive matrix from a semi-solid state to a liquified semi-gel state. The temperature sensitive supporting material also enables long term maintenance of islet cells in in vitro culture.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.