Patent ID: 7780973

Claim:
An implantable active agent delivery device for providing an active agent to a subject, the delivery device comprising: (a) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir contains a substance, wherein the reservoir includes openings, wherein the openings are adjacent to the substance; (b) a biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial is near the substance within the reservoir, wherein the openings of the reservoir allow the substance in the reservoir to contact the biomaterial, the biomaterial comprising: (i) a core, (ii) a front surface, and (iii) a back surface, wherein the front surface of the biomaterial is adapted to be held substantially adjacent to vascular tissue within the subject, wherein the biomaterial is capable of administering an active agent or of providing a metabolic or immunologic function to the subject; (c) an external selectively permeable jacket surrounding the core, the jacket comprising a biocompatible membrane having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules of an active agent to and from the core through the jacket to adjacent vascular tissue within the subject; and (d) a tether coupled with the biomaterial, wherein the tether is configured to anchor the biomaterial at an implantation site, wherein the tether comprises a tube configured to replenish the reservoir.