DEVICE FOR THE TRANSPLANTATION OF CELLS IN SUSPENSION

The invention relates to a device (1) for the transplantation of cells (3) in suspension comprising a support with at least one micro-cavity (2) containing or able to contain said suspension in direct contact with the object on which the cells are to be transplanted. The device is intended for application to human tissue or human or animal body, such as the eye, the gingiva, skin, a wound or a burn.

CORRESPONDING APPLICATION

This application claims priority to EP 12152866.5 filed on Jan. 27, 2012 in the name of Ecole Polytechnique Federate de Lausanne (EPFL), the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support containing cavities (or reservoirs), preferably micro-cavities or micro-reservoirs, in direct contact with tissue (e.g., human or animal tissues) to which the support according to the invention is applied allowing direct transplantation of cells on said tissues.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to a contact lens which comprises at least one cavity forming a reservoir containing cells in suspension, said cavity or said cavities being in direct contact with the eye which allows direct transplantation of cells on the eye in a localized manner.

The number, the shape and the volume of the cavities may vary. Similarly one may consider different shapes of support so that it may be adapted to different types of tissues. This support can be achieved in different types of materials, and may be treated on its inner surface in contact with the tissues, e.g. coated with an adhesive substance like a surgical glue or another product according to needs.

STATE OF THE ART

Publication WO 2008/144340 describes a scleral lens for drug delivery. This scleral lens comprises a reservoir on the whole surface of the cornea, said reservoir containing a drug. This lens does not allow the delivery of the drug in a localized manner but only on the whole of the cornea.

Publication WO 2010/068281 describes a lens for delivering an active agent to the cornea of the eye of a patient. In this document, the lens comprises a carrier material to release the agent which is encapsulated within the lens.

Publication US 2009/269391 describes a contact lens comprising fibers that are used as a means to deliver drugs. The fibers are loaded with drugs and deliver them to the eye.

Publication WO 2009/03226 describes a system for administering an agent ophthalmically bioactive including a contact lens with microparticles or microgels of a crosslinked polymer dispersed therein, said microparticles or microgels having trapped a bioactive agent capable of migration by diffusion in the lacrymal film.

Publication US 2008/075757 describes a lens having a micro-emulsion of oil in water, with a bioactive agent which is ophthalmically encapsulated in the oil phase.

Publication WO 2006/084275 describes a system for delivering drugs using a polymeric hydrogel.

Publication DE 40 22 553 describes a product for the issuance of a substance on the cornea of a patient.

Publication DE 1964116 describes a lens with a reservoir in the shape of ridge which extends inside the lens along its periphery. Such a configuration does not allow targeted application of the product contained in the reservoir.

Publication US 2008/0107713 describes a contact lens with application areas of drugs distributed asymmetrically on the lens. More particularly, the lens includes a first lens made in a non-hydrophilic material and which contains the drug and a second lens on the concave surface of the first lens so as to take the drug in “sandwich”, the second lens being made of a hydrophilic material.

PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve the known products and processes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support such as a lens or another support that can be used in a simple and precise way to treat a patient, namely for the application of cells directly on tissue of the patient, typically on the patient's eye as in one of the embodiments of the invention.

The present invention is innovative especially in that it enables the application of a cell suspension (cells which are thus directly transplanted onto the target organ) and that said application has a precise location (determined by the arrangement of cavities of the device).

In an embodiment, the device for the application of a medium, such as the transplantation of cells in suspension, comprises a carrier with at least one micro-cavity for containing said medium in direct contact with the object on which the said medium is to be applied.

The carrier may comprise several micro-cavities.

In an embodiment, the carrier may comprise at least one channel for the supply of the micro-cavity or micro-cavities with medium.

In an embodiment, the device may further comprise at least one reservoir which allows continuous feeding of the micro-cavity or micro-cavities with medium over time.

In an embodiment the carrier may have the shape of a contact lens.

In an embodiment the carrier may comprise a plurality of cavities that are evenly distributed on the carrier or which are not evenly distributed on the carrier.

In an embodiment, the carrier may comprise protection means to protect the medium from the environment when the carrier is applied to a patient.

In an embodiment the protection means may be a ring or a plurality of cavities.

In an embodiment the cavity or the cavities may have a cylindrical shape, and/or a ring shape and/or have different volumes.

In an embodiment the device may comprise a sensor.

In an embodiment the sensor may be placed in the carrier.

In an embodiment, the sensor may be an indicator dye in the medium or microelectrodes.

In an embodiment the sensor may comprise a polymer or hydrogel pouch.

In an embodiment, in order to reconstitute the medium, the carrier may comprise at least an inlet connected to a medium concentrate chamber covered by a water permeable membrane.

In an embodiment, the inlet may further comprise a valve to build an overpressure in the chamber.

In an embodiment, the at least one cavity may contain as a medium cells in suspension for the transplantation of said cells.

In an embodiment, the device may comprise a plurality of cavities, wherein some cavities contain cells in suspension as a medium, and other cavities contain a growth inhibitor, and/or a growth factor, and/or inhibitors of blood vessels, and/or cell death inhibitors and/or a permeabilization agent.

In an embodiment, the sensor may be a pH, CO2 or metabolite concentration sensor.

In an embodiment, the carrier may be adapted for application to human tissue or human or animal body, such as the eye, the gingiva, skin, a wound or a burn or an internal organ.

In an embodiment, the invention concerns the use of a device as described herein for a direct application of a medium to a patient or to an animal.

The principle of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and3. In these figures, one has illustrated a carrier in the shape of a contact lens1which comprises at least one microcavity2. In this microcavity2, a medium3for example a cell suspension is introduced and is intended to come into direct contact with the cornea of a patient (in the case of a contact lens). Because of the small size of the microcavity2, the medium3is maintained within the cavity2by means of surface tension forces, which allows the device to easily contact with the tissue or organ to be treated (eye or other)

The result of the application of the lens1on the cornea of the eye4of a user5is illustrated inFIG. 3.

InFIGS. 4 to 7, an embodiment is shown in which one sees several channels6(in fact micro-channels6) which provide access to the cavity2when the carrier (for example a lens1) is worn by a user (see as illustrated inFIGS. 3. 6and7). It is thus possible to refill the cavity2, that is to say, to add medium3in a cavity without removing or moving the lens (or another support media) for this purpose, seeFIGS. 6 and 7. One may add as a medium3either the same cell suspension or any other product according to needs and requirements as will be understood from the following description of further embodiments of the present invention.

The channels6may comprise a chamfer to facilitate refilling or not and may have any suitable shape (straight or not).

These channels6form a particularly interesting feature in that they may hold the carrier1(for example a lens) in position on the eye5. By applying the principle of the invention, it is possible therefore to obtain a support/carrier1such as a lens or another equivalent carrier to apply in a very precise and localized manner a cell suspension on a patient. Once the support1is positioned appropriately with the cavity2placed at the desired location, the support1remains in place and the cavity2can be fed as long as necessary, without displacing the carrier1, seeFIG. 7.

FIG. 5shows a top view of the embodiment ofFIG. 4with the same reference numbers identifying the same elements. It should be noted that the number of channels6is variable and that they are not necessarily positioned in the center of the device/support1. The inlets of the channels6are preferably placed close to the cavity2, as shown inFIG. 4for example. Alternatively, depending on the position of the cavity2, the inlets of the channels6may be away from the cavity, so to allow easier access to said inlets. Any other configuration and shape may of course be considered depending on the circumstances in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5Aillustrates patterns in four different configurations of the cavity (cavities)2. As it can be understood, the support or carrier1(e.g. a lens) may comprise a single cavity2centered or not (see the top two illustrations ofFIG. 5A) two or more cavities evenly distributed or not on the carrier1(see the two illustrations at the bottom ofFIG. 5A).

One of the advantages of the present invention is clear here. One can provide one or more cavities2in specific areas of the carrier1for a targeted application of cell suspension. In addition, various cavities2can contain different products for a complementary application, or mixed substances, once it has reached the target, that is to say the desired location.

By using the channels6as illustrated inFIGS. 4,5-8in the embodiments ofFIG. 5A, it is also possible to supply/refill all cavities2simultaneously or then in turn, either with the same medium3, or with different products, as required.

In some embodiments all cavities2may have at least one channel6for filling or refilling with a product, in other embodiments only one or some cavities may have at least one such channel. It is therefore possible to design different embodiments where some selected cavities may be refilled and others not on the same carrier depending on the product used. Some cavities may even be filled optionally, for example after the carrier has been placed on a patient depending on the evolution (to increase the concentration of a product or for any suitable subsequent purpose).

The shape of the cavities2can be selected at will, for example circular or oblong, “banana” or other. One may also choose a shape related to the application of the carrier1or to the zone where the carrier1is to be applied on a patient.

FIG. 6shows the lens1ofFIG. 4placed on the cornea4of an eye5of a patient. As shown, in this mode, the micro-cavity2is empty, which allows, for example, first to properly position the lens1in position before a medium3for example a cell suspension is added into the cavity2according to the principles of the invention. In the absence of a channel6, it is of course necessary to add the medium3in the cavity before the lens1is applied to the eye5. Of course, the presence of channels6does not imply that the lens1is necessarily applied without medium3.

FIG. 7illustrates the system ofFIG. 4in which the medium3has been introduced into the cavity2.

As said above, the carrier1ofFIGS. 6-7may comprise a plurality of cavities2as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

InFIG. 8, there is illustrated an embodiment based on that ofFIG. 7, but in this embodiment ofFIG. 8, a reservoir7has been added over the lens. The reservoir7has a capacity normally greater than that of a microcavity2, sometimes much higher, and allows, through channels (for example channels6), to supply for a longer period the microcavity2with a medium3, for example a suspension or other type of suspension as initially applied or any other desired product. The carrier may therefore be left in place without being touched for a longer time period.

InFIG. 9, there is illustrated the principle of change of reservoir7. As can be understood from this figure, it is possible to change the reservoir7for another reservoir7without changing or moving the support1(lens1) to renew the medium3or replace it with another product, for example growth factors or small molecules promoting proliferation, growth, differentiation of cells, inhibition of cell death or another desired product.

The reservoir7,7′ is held in position through the forces of surface tension. If necessary, it is possible to add a holding means, such as a surgical adhesive or any other equivalent means to enhance the attachment of the reservoir7,7. The choice of a retaining means may be linked to the application in question.

The advantage of the invention is to apply a medium3for example a suspension in a localized and precise manner. As indicated above, the lens, and more generally the carrier1used to apply the medium3may include one cavity2, or more than one cavity2, which is (are) located at the selected/required place for applying said medium.

In addition, the use of channels6allows refilling of the microcavities2either directly or by using the additional reservoir7.

In the case of the presence of several cavities2, they may be supplied by the same medium3or different media3for different effects and/or complementary effects or by any other desired product.

The reservoirs7,7′ as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9may be used in a configuration of a single cavity2or multiple cavities2as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 5A. In such case, a reservoir7/7′ may be used to supply all cavities2with the same medium3, or the reservoir7/7′ may supply only a certain number of cavities2. In another configuration, the reservoir7/7′ may comprise several separations each containing a different medium3for a selected supply of different medium3to different cavities2.

When changing the reservoir7according to the procedure illustrated inFIG. 9, the replacement reservoir7′ may supply the same cavities2than replaced reservoir7with the same medium3or a different one, or certain cavities only with the same medium3or a different one. Depending on the shape of the reservoirs7/7′ and the presence of separations with different media3, they may also supply different cavities (not the same ones) to vary the location of application of medium3and/or the medium3being applied.

As one skilled in the art will understand, the principle of the invention allows many variants that may be tailored to the intended use/application of the invention.

FIGS. 10A(bottom view) and10B (side cut view) illustrate another embodiment of a carrier for example a lens10according to the principle of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lens10comprises a ring12which surrounds the cavity11(corresponding to the cavity2described above). The ring12is used to “protect” the medium3present in said cavity11from native cells so that the freshly transplanted cells (when the medium is a cell suspension) can properly cover the treated zone of the patient.

The ring12may be in any suitable material for the intended application of the device (not limited to a lens). Preferably the material is a biocompatible one, for example a metal or a synthetic material.

FIG. 11(cut view) illustrates this feature with a lens10applied to an eye5of a patient, the crossed arrows showing the protection provided by the ring to the treated zone14of the eye5.

Taking advantage of the fact that the device may comprise more than one cavity11(2) the device can be functionalized to improve homogenous and rapid coverage of the grafted area of a patient by appropriate arrangement of the cavities11/2on the carrier1/10.

Accordingly, as also described hereabove and applicable to said embodiments, the device may comprise in one embodiment a central cavity11containing the medium3, for example cells to be transplanted and more external cavities11forming an outer ring containing growth factors of chemo attractants that will diffuse through the stroma. Thus the grafted cells will be attracted to the periphery and will cover homogenously and rapidly the area to be healed. This embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12Bwhere the carrier in the shape of a contact lens20comprises a central cavity21which is surrounded by several cavities22which may contain the appropriate substances in accordance with the principle of the invention. The surrounding cavities22may contain any suitable media3to obtain the desired effect. They may also be used to provide an effect equivalent (“shielding effect”) to the one obtained with the ring12ofFIGS. 10 and 11(see above).

In another embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 13A(bottom view) and13B (side cut view), the carrier23may be built as described above with the addition of several more ring shaped cavities24,25containing for example growth factors, small molecules promoting proliferation or a growth inhibitor. Indeed, the grafted cells of the cavity26need to be protected from native cells during the early time after transplantation. Thus the growth inhibitor (for example in ring25) will stop the native cells from invading the transplantation area. But, thanks to the ring24containing growth factors or promoting molecules, the growth of transplanted cells will not be inhibited. In an embodiment, the outside ring25may contain inhibitors of blood vessels growth to prevent neovascularization that often occur when the cornea is damaged.

In the case of transplantation in a severely damaged environment the transplanted cells not only need to grow and cover the wounded area but they firstly need to survive. To answer this need, the device carrier may comprise some cavities containing cells, some other containing growth factors, small molecules promoting proliferation and some containing cell death inhibitors etc. As one will readily understand from the above description, the present invention allows many different configurations of carrier with cavities and media being applied to a patient.

In some embodiments, the carrier may be built with numerous cavities2in such a way to create gradients of media3being applied such as cell suspension, growth factor, cell death inhibitors etc. . . .

This gradient may be achieved by different constructions illustrated inFIGS. 14-16.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 14A(bottom view) and14B (side view), the carrier30(for example a lens) comprises a plurality of cavities2which are arranged asymmetrically on said carrier30, on one side of it. The medium3carried in said cavities2may be the same in all cavities2or different and may diffuse underneath the carrier30(to the right inFIGS. 14A and 14B). The concentration of media will however be the highest where the cavities2are located, the concentration being also influenced by the volume of the cavities which may be the same or different.

In the embodiment of FIGS.15A to15CB, another version is shown which applies a gradient of concentration of medium3via the cavities2of the carrier31.FIG. 15Aillustrates a 1D gradient: the concentration increases from the left side to the right side (from brighter to darker). This gradient may be achieved by increase of the density of the cavities2and/or increase of their volume, or an increase of concentration of medium or a combination thereof.

InFIG. 15B, the gradient has2dimensions created by the cavities2. As for the embodiment ofFIG. 15A, the increase of concentration may be achieved by increase of the density of the cavities2and/or increase of their volume and/or increase of concentration of medium or a combination thereof.

InFIG. 15C, an embodiment is illustrated where the increase of density of cavities2is shown in the lower part of the carrier31.

An advantage of using an increase of density of cavities2or of the cavitie's volume rather than to increase the concentration of the medium is that there is no need to change the medium over time to achieve this effect. Of course, in certain circumstances it may be better to change the concentration of the medium.

InFIGS. 16A(bottom view) and16B (side cut view), the cavities of the carrier32have the shape of rings33,34,35and such rings33-25may also be used to create a concentration gradient of the medium. Each ring33-35may carry the same medium or a different one and the gradient may be achieved by the shape and volume of the ring.

It is of course understood that when using several different chemical substances for the creation of gradients in the carrier, the gradients of the individual substances can be controlled individually and hence combined arbitrarily (same, opposing or arbitrarily different directions and geometries).A skilled person will recognize the many combination possible with the principle of the invention and the combination of features of embodiments.

FIGS. 17A to 17C(side cut views) illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention useful for a particular application: permeabilization or local removal of the surface epithelium of the target organ can be desired. Transplantation of cells to deeper layers is an example, as is treatment of deeper layers by chemical substances. The simplest way of achieving this is to mechanically or chemically remove part or all of the surface epithelium before device placement.

In the case of chemical permeabilization, the carrier36(for example a contact lens) comprises at least one cavity2for cells in suspension as a medium3, and other cavities (in this example two cavities2′) which form distinct permeabilization cavities2,2′, the surface epithelium can be removed or permeabilized in the vicinity of the cavities2′ containing the permeabilization agent, eventually allowing the cells in the main cavity2to reach the interior of the cornea4of the eye5.

Taking advantage of the localized action provided by microcavities2,2′, one can treat the corneal surface epithelium locally by conditions that result in the local removal of the surface epithelium. This can be achieved by means of application of solutions of permeabilizing agents in at least some of the cavities2′. These permeabilizing agents can be tensides (such as benzalkonium salts), enzymes (such as Trypsin or collagenases), chelating agents (such EDTA), photodynamic agents (such as gamma-aminolevulinic acid and derivatives which are processed to photoactive porphyrins by the cells) as well as combinations of these agents. The permeabilization allows transplantion of cells directly to the surface of the stroma. It is possible to use hydrogels in the permeabilization cavities to avoid unintended mixing of the cells (medium3) and the permeabilization agent prior to transplantation.

FIG. 17Aillustrates a lens36able to do both treatments: permeabilization and treatment per se.

FIGS. 17B and 17Cillustrate the same process but in two steps with two different carriers37,38the carrier37being used for the permeabilization step with cavities2′ containing the permeabilization agent and the carrier38for the treatment step (for example a cell transplantation) with cavity2containing the medium3.

Of course, all the teachings and configurations of previous embodiments described above may be applied here to the embodiments ofFIGS. 17A-17C.

FIGS. 18A(side cut view) and18B (side cut view on the eye5of a patient) illustrate another embodiment of a carrier38in which a sensor39,39′ (for example a micro-sensor) is placed next to the cavity2. The sensor is typically intended to measure or monitor different parameters, for example to monitor PH, Co2, and metabolites concentration. This may of course be adapted depending on the application of the invention, when different applications need different parameters to be monitored and the carrier may comprise more than one sensor39,39′.

For example, the carrier38may be provided with sensors39,39′ allowing quantifying different aspects of the cellular metabolism and growth transplantation. For instance, pH, carbon dioxide, oxygen or glucose concentration may be used to define the time points when a medium change is needed. The sensors39,39′ may use any operating principle compatible with the spatial restraints, but typically electrical or optical mechanisms may be used.

For instance, microelectrodes39,39′ embedded in the carrier and reaching the medium may be used for sensing pH, glucose or oxygen; readout systems for electrical measurements embedded in contact lenses are available as well.

In another variant, optical sensing is based on substances which change optical properties as a function of an analyte concentration.

FIG. 19illustrates an embodiment of a carrier having at least one sensor wherein the sensor may be made of a dye indicator contained in the medium3carried in the cavity2.

Accordingly, the carrier43(for example a contact lens) comprises a cavity2with a medium3to be applied to a patient on the cornea4, the cavity comprising a side extension44which is used to allow reading of the dye reaction. To this effect, the carrier43comprises an optical background45suitable for an optical readout.

In an embodiment , the side extension44comprises an optical background45and also a polymer or hydrogel pouch46containing indicator substances for the reaction in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

Of course, as mentioned, a carrier may comprise one single sensor or a plurality of sensors of the same type or of a different type to detect/monitor different variables and elements, according to circumstances. Many variants are thus possible in the frame of the present invention.

An example of a readout system that may be used in the present context for electrical sensing is the one developed by the Company named Sensimed (www.sensimed.ch), as disclosed in the application WO 03/001991. In particular, one may combine the signal processing and readout systems described therein with microelectrodes measuring metabolites, oxygen tension, pH or carbon dioxide concentrations.”

The result of the sensing may be used to determine whether the medium3has to be re-supplied and/or exchanged and/or adapted in accordance with a result sought. Such refilling, exchange and/or adaptation may be carried out with the embodiments of the invention described hereunder.

FIGS. 20A-20Dillustrates embodiments of the invention with a medium supply/refilling capability and the procedure therefor.

Upon transplantation, it is important that the cells are in a controlled environment. Several solutions are possible to provide the cells with nutrients for a time period suitable for successful implantation (typically, about 10 days) prior to exposure to the native environment when removing the device. Possible solutions are the following:Post-transplantation lens, a lens which is regularly replaced with a fresh device or at least fresh medium, for example by a reservoir as described above in relation toFIGS. 8 and 9;Post-transplantation or transplantation lens containing either a medium concentrate or solid powder in a specific reservoir, covered with a water permeable membrane that allows reconstitution of the medium to near isotonic concentration by diffusion of water from the tear film to the concentrate and slow release into the main chamber through a connection channel; an outlet channel can be used to release the spent medium into the tear film.Alternatively, a transplantation or post-transplantation lens with micro-channels and attached tubing allowing for liquid replenishment. For sterility, a sterile fluid injection based on a rubber septum, which accepts multiple injections with hypodermic needles, may be used; also valves that only open when a threshold pressure is reached can be placed in the outlet channel to avoid infection of the main chamber;A further variant comprises valves that open when the pressure in the reservoir channel reaches a threshold level. Another such pressure-sensitive valve can be placed in the outlet channel to limit infection.

Possible embodiments and variants are described in more detail hereunder.

InFIG. 20A, the carrier1(for example a contact lens) comprises a cavity2intended to contain a medium3for the treatment of a patient (for example the cornea of the patient) in accordance with the principle of the present invention. As described above in relation toFIGS. 4-9, the carrier1comprises channels6,6′ for the supply of the medium3. Typically, the carrier1comprises an outlet6(to allow evacuation of cavity2) and an inlet6′ for the supply of the desired medium3. The device used to this effect illustrated inFIG. 20Acomprises a tubing60to be connected to inlet6′ and an injection port61allowing the transfer of medium into the cavity2when the carrier1is in place. This is an example of an external injection/supply method.

InFIG. 20B, the process is to avoid an external supply but rather to reconstitute a medium using the diffusion of water from the tear film of a patient. The carrier1, such as a contact lens, has a previously disclosed a cavity2for the medium3to be applied to the cornea4of a patient. The carrier comprises an outlet6and an inlet6′ of the supply of the cavity. In this embodiment, the inlet6′ is connected to a medium concentrate62covered by a water permeable membrane63through which water from the tear film may diffuse into the concentrate62and thereby reconstruct the supply of medium3in the cavity2.

FIGS. 20C and 20Dillustrate another variant of the embodiment ofFIG. 20B. In this variant, the same elements are identified by the same references as inFIG. 20B. In addition, this variant features a valve64placed in the inlet6′ that requires a slight overpressure in the chamber with the medium concentrate62. Since it takes time to build up this overpressure upon diffusion of water from the tear film through the water permeable membrane63to the medium concentrate chamber62, release of reconstituted medium into the cavity2is delayed and occurs in a more controlled way.

FIGS. 21A(top and side cut views),21B (top and side cut views),22A (bottom and side cut views),22B (bottom and side cut views) and22C (bottom and side cut views) illustrate an example of a method of using the present invention.

Taking advantage of the fact that the size of device's cavity2can be chosen, as described hereabove in relation to the different embodiments of the invention, one may construct two different carriers, i.e. lenses: a first seeding lens70(corresponding to lens1) with the appropriate cavity2volume to seed the desired amount of cells (as the medium3), and a second lens71with a larger cavity72to allow for a good cell3growth.

The transplantation procedure can be the following:

First step (FIGS. 21A and 22A): transplantation of the cells by applying the seeding lens70containing the cells suspension3for the needed time (typically 2 to 3 hours).

Second step (FIG. 22B): the seeding lens70is removed and a lens71with a larger cavity72(containing cell culture medium) is placed on top of the transplanted cells3. Thus this second lens71will allow for cell growth and will protect the transplanted cells (which are quite fragile during the first time of transplantation) from the shear forces dues to intraocular movements, seeFIGS. 21B and 22C.

FIG. 23illustrates another embodiment of the carrier according to the present invention, showing the same kind of device described above in the present application being adapted to other organs: skin, scalp, or internal organs such as heart73(illustrated inFIG. 23) etc . . . Although the present description mainly refers to the construction of a lens as a carrier, this should not be regarded as limiting the scope of application of the present invention which may be used in other shapes or forms to treat other parts of the body of a patient in accordance with the principle of the present invention. Accordingly such principles may be adapted to the use of the present invention.

ENVISAGED APPLICATIONS

Applications of the present invention are numerous. As mentioned earlier, one may use this support in the form of contact lens but this should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

The preferred application of device according to the present invention is the use of a contact lense as described to transplant corneal epithelial stem cells. Indeed, many patients suffer from deficient vision due to damaged (chemical or thermic burns) or absent (limbal stem cell deficiency) corneal epithelium. Today, these conditions are treated by transplantation of cornea or limbal grafts. Transplantation of cells in suspension, thanks to the device described herein, facilitates and accelerates the transplantation procedure for the surgeon. Moreover, the technique described herein makes creation of an artificial epithelium in culture under expensive GMP conditions superfluous. Indeed, the surgeon can directly transplant cells obtained from the healthy contralateral eye, or a donor eye. Accordingly, the use of the present invention in this application is particularly advantageous.

Applications of the present invention are however numerous. Examples include:It can be used to transplant genetically modified cells (for example for the correction of heritable corneal dystrophies) or non-epithelial cells (stromal, multipotent etc) to the ocular surface;Transplantation of cells in suspension to other superficial tissues, e.g. gums, mucuous membranes, skin, for instance for hair follicle regenerationDosable application of substances with or to the grafted cells in order to improve engraftment, proliferation and differenciation of cells

The device of the present invention may potentially be used in a variety of other applications on the eye. For instance one can transplant genetically modified cells (for example for the correction of heritable corneal dystrophies) or non-epithelial cells (stromal, multipotent etc).

These applications may of course be combined among them.

With some adaptation, the device can be used for internal organs as well as mentioned earlier in the present application and illustrated inFIG. 23schematically:

The device generally has to be fixed to the organ surface by a mechanical method. Most commonly, this will be surgical sutures, fibrin glue or some form of mechanical bandage.

The principle of the present invention is still used in other applications and with different carriers as described below.

For example:Transplantation of cells in suspension This can be realized on different tissues: tissue or organ such as eyes, gums, skin.a contact lens for cell transplantation on the ocular surface or a device for transplantation of buldge stem cells for hair follicles regeneration.Dosable application of substance in grafted cells in order to improve engraftment, proliferation and differenciation of cells

These applications may of course be combined among them.

Permabilization for transplantation to deep layers may be employed as needed (see the above description of this embodiment).

The size of the device, and volume capacity of the permeabilization and cell cavities should be adapted to the organ at hand and to the desired application.

Depending on the surgical procedure, it may be necessary to temporarily immobilize the cells, for example by a spontaneously liquefying hydrogel (e.g. surgical fibrin gels+plasmin or ca-alginate gels+alginate lyase).

Further example of target applications include among others: transplantation of genetically modified autologous hepatocytes to the superficial layers of the liver for correction of inborn errors of hepatic metabolism; transplantation of hormone-producing cells into the dermis for correction of endocrine diseases; transplantation of genetically corrected muscle satellite cells to muscle tissue for the treatment of heritable muscular dystrophies; application of immune cells to solid tumors for cancer therapy.

Any suitable material (including biocompatible) may be used to form the support. In the case of the lens, for example be used and a method of the PDMS mold. One may also use flexible silicone or other suitable material depending on the application.

In one embodiment, one may use a lens that is adjustable to light (“light adjustable lens,” Calhoun Vision LAL, Pasadena, Calif.), in which the power or correction of the lens can be adjusted after implantation in the eye.

The inner surface of the support, that is to say one that will be in contact with the user/patient or animal (e.g. in the case of eye lens) may receive a specific treatment such as adding a surgical glue or other.

Technical and Economic Advantages

The transplantation technique described herein allows the use of cells in suspension. One therefore avoids a cell culture on a lens or another media as proposed in other known devices. This makes transplanting easier and faster.

This device has the advantage of having pockets/cavities of small to large sizes the location of which may be chosen. This allows the control of the location and of the quantity of cells applied to the target tissue.

The realization of the device is done directly by molding, a simple process that does not necessitates reworking.

As mentioned above, the principle according to the invention may be used in many applications and may be designed for application to human tissue or a human organ, such as the eye, gums, skin, injury or burns etc . . . This device may be useful for veterinary use in similar applications.

As one understands, the embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting. Other embodiments are possible using equivalent means within the scope of the present invention.

The described embodiments allow many different constructions in accordance with the principles detailed above. The invention is not limited to a use with a lens but many different applications may be envisaged with an appropriate carrier/support suitable for the intended use or application.

The different embodiments described above are not exclusive and they may be combined together (in part or totally).

The size, shape and volume of the cavities may be varied according to circumstances and/or to adapt to the intended use and application, the aim being to apply the desired medium at the desired location in the desired concentration to achieve the desired effect. The disposition of the cavities may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.