Patent Description:
Transporting a bioartificial organ (BAO), or other implantable medical device, especially those of smaller size (e.g., finger-tip size or smaller), can be quite challenging. Given their size, improper handling can lead to damage or sterility-breach of the devices, which, if detected, are discarded, or if undetected may result in potential risk to patients. Moreover, such devices, if required to be filled with a substance, or, multiple steps in a manufacturing process, also requires delicate handling, as well as associated structure to aid in filling and/or manufacturing steps. Improper handling can lead to, yet again, potential risk to patients. This is particularly problematic in semi-automated or automated manufacture of a BAG for treatment of retinal disorders. Document <CIT> discloses a medical device system comprising: an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) which comprises: a cavity; a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells; and a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive which creates a hemispheric seal at both ends of the membrane; and a filling port having: docking means at a first end, and a micro-diameter tube (MDT) extending from a second end, wherein the MDT is sealed at a distal end to the filling port and at a proximal end to the cavity of the ADID, so as to establish an integral, cell-filling pathway there-within.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a medical device system is provided and includes a medical device, and/or, in some embodiments, an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) having a cavity, a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells, and a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive which creates a hemispheric seal at both ends of the membrane. The system also includes a filling port having docking means at a first end, and a micro-diameter tube (MDT) extending from a second end. The MDT is sealed at a distal end to the filling port and at a proximal end to the cavity of the ADID, so as to establish an integral, cell-filling pathway there-within.

The present invention relates to a device as set forth in the appended claims.

In such embodiments, at least one of the following additional features, functionality, structure, steps, and/or clarifications (and in some embodiments, a plurality of, and in some embodiments, all of) can be included, leading to yet further embodiments:.

In some embodiments, an analyte diffusive system is provided and includes a medical device, and/or, in some embodiments an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) having a cavity, a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells, a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive which creates a hemispheric seal at both ends of the membrane, and a filling port configured for connection to an end of the device, wherein the port is configured to be in communication with the cavity and sealed thereto, to provide access to the cavity to enable cells to be received in the cavity, and as a polymer molded structure so as to allow an injection system to seal to thereto.

In such embodiments, a cell transferring method for transferring cells into an analyte diffusive device is provided and includes providing the analyte diffusive system according to any of the disclosed embodiments, sealing the tube with the device and the port assembly, transferring cells into the device via the port assembly and tube using the injection system, wherein the transferred cells are stored on the CSM within cavity, and removing at least one of the port assembly and tube from the device.

The method of using the device does not form part of the invention.

In some embodiments, an aseptic transferring method for transferring or otherwise moving an implantable device is provided and includes providing an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID), providing a clip, holding the device with the clip, wherein the clip attaches to the device either at one end of the device or via an anchor attached to the end of the device, and moving the device via the clip through automated manufacturing unit operations to fill the device.

In some embodiments, an aseptic method to maintain orientation of device during storage and use for surgical implant is provided and includes providing an analyte diffusive system including an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID), providing a clip, holding the ADID with the clip, where the clip attaches to the ADID either at one end of the ADID or via an anchor attached to the end of the ADID and orients the ADID vertically and centrally in a packaging system containing cell nutrient media, and optionally aseptic transferring of the ADID from the packing system to a sclerotomy incision and facilitating positioning of the ADID and release of the ADID into the incision and vitreous cavity.

These and other embodiments, objects and advantages will become even more evident with reference to the concurrently filed figures, a brief description of which is set out below, and following detailed description of at least some of the embodiments.

In the present description, <NUM> psi is equivalent to <NUM> Pascals.

<FIG> illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a first-side view of a medical device system, according to some embodiments, and includes an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) <NUM>, which includes a cavity, and a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells engineered to secrete a therapeutic protein-based drug (according to some embodiments). The system can also include a porous hollow fiber membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity (see <CIT><CIT><CIT><CIT>.

At least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive (for example, with respect to some embodiments) which can create a preferably hemispheric seal at one, and preferably, both ends of the membrane. Also included is a filling port <NUM> (which in some embodiments can be referred to as a filling port assembly), having a docking means <NUM>, which may also be referred to a port assembly, at a first end, and a micro-diameter tube (MDT) <NUM> extending from a second end. The MDT is preferably sealed (and preferably, hermetically) at a distal end <NUM> to the filling port <NUM>, and at a proximal end <NUM> to the cavity of the ADID <NUM>, so as to establish an integral, cell-filling pathway there-within.

In some embodiments, the ADID/system <NUM> includes at least one anchor <NUM> arranged on at least one end of the device, where the anchor can be configured to affix the device <NUM> to tissue (for example). The anchor <NUM> can also be configured to at least one of be received and held by a clip- device <NUM> ("clip"). The clip <NUM> can be configured to enable packaging and/or transfer of the ADID.

In such embodiments, the filling port <NUM> corresponds to (or includes, comprises) a temporary filling port, such that, it is only used to fill the ADID, and then is of no further use and can be removed/discarded/reused. The at least one anchor (in some embodiments), can be a plurality of anchor, and arranged on at least one end of the device is configured to affix the device to tissue. <FIG> illustrate various views of the at least one anchor and ADID according to some embodiments. Specifically, <FIG> is a second side view of an enlargement of the clip-device <NUM>, the at least one anchor, and the ADID in combination attachment, where the at least one anchor is configured to be held by the clip-device, so as to, in some embodiments, enable packaging and/or transfer of the device.

As shown in <FIG>, the at least one anchor can be a loop, which can include a metal or polymer (or a combination thereof), and multiple anchors of this configuration can be used to couple with the ADID <NUM> (and one or more of which used to anchor the ADID to tissue. In some embodiments, a single leg of the loop configuration can be considered the at least one anchor). In some embodiments, the at least one anchor includes the loop configuration (as shown in Figures 2A-2D), which can include a bulbous end or bulb 112a, which is coupled to the ADID <NUM> to an internal structure 110a therein (see cross-section, <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the at least one anchor can be configured to be held by the clip <NUM>, where the clip can include a proximal end <NUM>-<NUM> and a distal end <NUM>-<NUM>, a first jaw <NUM>-<NUM> having a corresponding first distal jaw end <NUM>-4a, a second jaw <NUM>-<NUM> having a corresponding second distal jaw end <NUM>-6a configured for movement relative to the first jaw end. A first jaw extension <NUM>-<NUM> may also be included, which can be integral with the first jaw <NUM>-<NUM>, a second jaw extension <NUM>-<NUM> integral with the second jaw <NUM>-<NUM>, and at least two proximal extensions <NUM>-12a, <NUM>-12b integral with the first jaw <NUM>-<NUM>.

In some embodiments, in such this configuration, the first jaw extension <NUM>-<NUM> can include a first projection <NUM>-10a, a first receiving area <NUM>-10b, and a second receiving area <NUM>-10c, the second extension <NUM>-<NUM> can include a flexible projection <NUM>-8a, such that the first receiving area <NUM>-10b can be configured to receive an end of the flexible projection <NUM>-8a, the second receiving area <NUM>-8c can be configured to receive the second jaw extension <NUM>-8b and move therein, and/or the first distal end <NUM>-4a of the first jaw <NUM>-<NUM> can be closed with respect to the second distal end <NUM>-6a of the second jaw <NUM>-<NUM> in a resting position (for example).

In some embodiments, an analyte diffusive system is provided, and includes an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) which includes a cavity, a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells, and a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive which creates a hemispheric seal at both ends of the membrane, and a filling port configured for connection to an end of the device. The port is configured to be in communication with the cavity and sealed thereto, to provide access to the cavity to enable cells to be received in the cavity, and as a polymer molded structure so as to allow an injection system to seal to thereto.

In such embodiments the micro-diameter tube <NUM> includes an inner micron-sized lumen configured to flow cells from an injection system into the cavity. Specifically, in some embodiments, the inner diameter of the associated lumen is between about <NUM>-<NUM>, and in some embodiments preferably between <NUM>-<NUM>. The tube includes a wall thickness and/or material configured to maintain a diameter geometry for delivery of cells through the tube and maintain the diameter geometry at a fill pressure of <NUM> - <NUM> psi (for example), and the tube <NUM> can be sealed to the port assembly with a first adhesive (or other means familiar to one of skill in the art). The tube <NUM> can be sealed within the CSM and membrane with a second adhesive (for example), having properties distinct from properties associated with the first adhesive (according to some embodiments).

A first end <NUM>-<NUM> of the tube <NUM> can be configured to connect to an end <NUM>-<NUM> of the ADID <NUM>, a second end <NUM>-<NUM> of the tube is configured to connect to the port assembly <NUM>, and cells are delivered from the injection system into the cavity of the ADID from the port assembly and through the tube <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tube <NUM> is configured for preferential release from the first adhesive (e.g., holding the tube <NUM> to the port assembly <NUM>), in which, a force required to preferentially release the sealed tube <NUM> from within the device, which in some embodiments, can require between <NUM>-<NUM> Newton-meters, or, in some embodiments, preferably between <NUM>-<NUM> Newton-meters.

The filling of cells within the cavity of the ADID <NUM> can be any one or more of: capillary action, positive displacement, vacuum, servo driven, peristaltic action, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, a cell transferring method for transferring cells into an analyte diffusive device is provided, or any device medical or otherwise (for that matter), and can include, in some embodiments for example, providing an analyte diffusive system according to any of the disclosed embodiments (e.g., those noted above), and sealing the tube with the ADID device and the port assembly <NUM>. The method can further include, for example, transferring cells into the device via the port assembly <NUM> and tube <NUM> using, for example, an injection system. In some embodiments, the transferred cells are stored on/within the CSM within a cavity of the ADID <NUM>, and removing at least one of the port assembly <NUM> and tube from the ADID <NUM>.

Still further in some embodiments, an aseptic transferring method for transferring or otherwise moving an implantable device (or any device medical or otherwise, for that matter) is provided, the method includes providing an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID), providing a clip, holding the device with the clip, where the clip attaches to the device either at one end of the device or via an anchor attached to the end of the device, and moving the device via the clip through automated manufacturing unit operations to fill the device.

In some embodiments, an aseptic method to maintain orientation of a device during storage and/or use for a surgical implant (or any device medical or otherwise, for that matter), the method includes providing an analyte diffusive system (or any device, medical or otherwise for that matter) including an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID), providing a clip, holding the ADID with the clip, wherein the clip attaches to the ADID either at one end of the ADID or via an anchor attached to the end of the ADID and orients the ADID vertically and centrally in a packaging system containing cell nutrient media, and optionally aseptic transferring of the ADID from the packing system to a sclerotomy incision and facilitating positioning of the ADID and release of the ADID into the incision and vitreous cavity.

Claim 1:
A medical device system (<NUM>) comprising:
an analyte diffusive implantable device (ADID) (<NUM>) which comprises:
a cavity;
a cell-scaffolding material (CSM) arranged within the cavity and configured to hold or otherwise retain a plurality of living cells;
and
a porous membrane at least partially enclosing the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is adhered to the CSM by a high durometer adhesive which creates a hemispheric seal at both ends of the membrane;
a filling port (<NUM>) having:
docking means (<NUM>) at a first end, and
a micro-diameter tube (MDT) (<NUM>) extending from a second end;
at least one anchor (<NUM>) arranged on at least one end of the device;
and
a clip (<NUM>) for holding the anchor,
wherein the MDT is sealed at a distal end to the filling port (<NUM>) and at a proximal end to the cavity of the ADID (<NUM>), so as to establish an integral, cell-filling pathway there-within.