Patent ID: 8361489

Claim:
An implantable device for providing insulin comprising: at least one spacing member having a suitable thickness, a first face, and a second face, wherein the first face and second face are positioned opposed to one another; a first immunoisolatory membrane affixed to the first face of the at least one spacing member; and a second immunoisolatory membrane affixed to the second face of the at least one spacing member; wherein the first immunoisolatory membrane and second immunoisolatory membrane are amphiphilic membranes having pore dimensions in the range of about 3.0 nm to 4.0 nm, wherein the amphiphilic membranes are comprised of polyethylene glycol polymer and polydimethylsiloxane polymer strands crosslinked by bis(dimethylsilyloxy)ethoxydimethylsilyloxy phenylsilane to form an amphiphilic network, wherein the affixing of the first immunoisolatory membrane and the second immunoisolatory membrane to the at least one spacing member defines an internal volume bounded by the at least one spacing member, the first immunoisolatory membrane and the second immunoisolatory membrane, the internal volume holding insulin producing cells suspended in the amphiphilic network, wherein the amphiphilic network has a tensile strength in the range of about 0.5 MPa to about 3.0 MPa and an elongation in the range of about 50% to about 600%.