Patent ID: 6123700
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A sealed, implantable, hollow membrane encapsulation device for providing a biologically active product or function to an individual, said encapsulation device comprising:(a) a permselective, hollow, porous membrane shaped so as to form a cell-impervious encapsulating enclosure including:(1) an exterior surface,(2) an interior surface, said interior surface defining a storage cavity, and(3) at least one opening, said at least one opening providing open communication between said storage cavity and the exterior of said enclosure;(b) a non-permeable fitting disposed within or about said at least one opening so as to make substantially cell-tight dry sealing engagement between said fitting and said enclosure, said fitting(1) comprising a thermoplastic tubular fitting member including an inwardly facing surface defining an open bore extending therethrough and(2) dimensioned so as to permit introduction of living cells into said storage cavity;(c) living cells disposed in said cavity capable of secreting a biologically active product or of providing a selected biological function to an individual, said membrane permitting passage therethrough of substances secreted by said cells; and(d) a non-permeable, non-porous cell-tight plug at a distal end of said thermoplastic tubular fitting member, wherein said plug is formed by pinching and fusing the sides of said thermoplastic tubular fitting member together at a distal end of said member to form a cell-tight seal of said open bore.