Implantable capsule
Implantable capsule comprising a cell receiving portion ( 2 ) comprising a porous membrane ( 5 ) surrounding a cell receiving chamber ( 13 ) for receiving immortalized cells in a liquid media therein for the secretion of therapeutic agents. The capsule further comprises a cell support matrix ( 7 ) inserted within the cell receiving chamber ( 13 ) configured for the arrangement of the immortalized cells within the cell receiving chamber.
1 . An implantable capsule comprising a cell receiving portion comprising:
(a) a porous membrane surrounding a cell receiving chamber for receiving genetically engineered immortalized cells in a liquid media therein for the secretion of therapeutic agents, and
(b) a membrane support mounted in the cell receiving chamber configured for providing structural support to the porous membrane, the membrane support comprising a coil made of a biocompatible material,
wherein the capsule further comprises a cell support matrix comprising at least one yarn inserted within the cell receiving chamber configured for the arrangement of the immortalized cells within the cell receiving chamber, said coil surrounding said at least one yarn.
2 . The implantable capsule according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one yarn comprises a polyester material.
3 . The implantable capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the cell support matrix comprises a plurality of said yarns.
4 . The implantable capsule according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of yarns is in a range of 5 to 20 yarns.
5 . The implantable capsule according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of yarns is in a range of 5 to 15 yarns.
6 . The implantable capsule according claim 1 , wherein the at least one yarn extends within the cell receiving chamber over at least 80% of a length of the cell receiving chamber.
7 . The implantable capsule according to claim 1 further comprising an extractor portion coupled to an extractor end of the cell receiving portion configured for allowing a surgical tool to pull the implantable capsule out of an implantation site, the extractor portion comprising a retrieval thread.
8 . The implantable capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the retrieval thread is made of a thread of polypropylene.
9 . The implantable capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the extractor portion comprises an anchor tube having a cavity therein within which an anchor portion of a retrieval thread is inserted and bonded.
10 . The implantable capsule according to claim 9 , wherein the anchor tube consists of or comprises a polyurethane material.
11 . The implantable capsule according to claim 9 , wherein the extractor portion is coupled to the cell receiving portion via a coupling comprising a connector, a connector comprising a portion inserted into an extractor end of the porous membrane and second portion inserted in a coupling end of the anchor tube.
12 . The implantable capsule according to claim 11 , wherein the connector is bonded to the anchor tube and the cell receiving portion by an adhesive.
13 . The implantable capsule according to claim 12 , wherein the adhesive is a light curable adhesive.
14 . The implantable capsule according to claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the capsule is in a range of 0.5 to 3 millimeters and has a length in a range of 5 to 25 millimeters.
15 . The implantable capsule according to claim 1 , wherein a length to diameter ratio of the capsule is in a range of 5 to 20.
16 . The implantable capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the capsule has an outer diameter in a range of 0.8 to 1.5 millimeters.
17 . The implantable capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the capsule has a length in a range of 8 to 20 millimeters.