Abstract: Described herein is a novel biological support for cells, derived from a mammalian whole organ, tissue or portion thereof. In various embodiments, a support matrix is prepared by isolating a whole organ, tissue or portion thereof, and thereafter converting it into a tissue powder. Various washing and freeze-drying techniques are employed, as well as mechanical reduction, sonication and further processes to convert the whole organ, tissue or portion thereof into a matrix suitable for supporting functional longevity and proliferation of cultured cells. It is believed that by culturing a particular type of cell in a matrix derived from the whole organ, tissue or portion thereof with which that cell is normally associated, one may achieve optimal cell support and differentiation. The whole organs, tissues and portions thereof used in connection with aspects of the present invention need not be decellularized or otherwise digested prior to processing into the matrix.

Abstract: Artificial liver devices and methods for using the devices to purify a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods include the use of living hepatocytes (23) which are either unattached or attached to inert carriers and suspended in a cell culture medium which circulates in the devices with the hepatocytes (23). Blood or plasma passes on one side (7?) of semi-permeable membranes, on the other side (7) of which is the cell culture medium and across which is a concentration and/or pressure gradient. Solutes diffusing across the membrane into the cell culture medium are metabolized by the hepatocytes (23) and/or captured by additional removal means (4). Those undesirable substances which do not diffuse out of the blood or plasma into the hepatocyte containing culture medium are captured by additional removal means (50).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method of implanting encapsulated cells in a recipient's body. Cells are implanted in the spleen of a recipient, thereby allowing the encapsulated cells to survive without suffering immediate/early cell anoxia, inadequate cell nourishment, cell death, or immune rejection. Moreover, immunosuppression is reduced or even not required, and oxygen and various nutrients may be provided to the cells without need for artificially prompting additional vascularization. Furthermore, as the implantation or transplantation may be performed percutaneously or endoscopically (laparoscopically), or by a similar minimally invasive means, a recipient need not endure a highly traumatic surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a universally-adaptable cell preconditioning and storage medium that can be used for the effective cryopreservation of cells at temperatures less than 4° C. The aqueous medium contains adenosine, a calcium channel blocker, and a nutrient-rich matrix that has a sufficient amount of cell metabolites to sustain the metabolic needs of the harvested cells while incubating the cells for a period of at least 10 minutes, without producing detectable levels of lactate or substantially depleting the metabolic substrates of the cell.

Abstract: A bioreactor (10) supports the viability, function(s) and/or growth of a cell or enzyme, or synthesis or biotransformation (metabolism) of a composition or compound using a cell or enzyme. The bioreactor includes a housing (12) having perfusion ports (20, 24) for perfusion. A bundle of elongated elements (26) can be contained within the housing. The elongated elements can be made of a foamy polymer such that cells loaded aggregate within the pores of the elongated elements. Furthermore, the elongated elements can be a bundle of thin solid sticks (30), rod-reinforced sticks (30, 32), or thin hollow tubes (28). Optionally, the housing can include a removable cap (18, 22) configured to allow the insertion and removal of the bundle of elongated elements into and out of the housing and the bundle of elongated elements can be removably affixed within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a universally-adaptable cell preconditioning and storage medium that can be used for the effective cryopreservation of cells at temperatures less than 4° C. The aqueous medium contains adenosine, a calcium channel blocker, and a nutrient-rich matrix that has a sufficient amount of cell metabolites to sustain the metabolic needs of the harvested cells while incubating the cells for a period of at least 10 minutes, without producing detectable levels of lactate or substantially depleting the metabolic substrates of the cell.

Abstract: An artificial gut (100) comprises a first hollow fiber (203) having an inner surface (215) that is lined with at least a portion of a layer of one or more of a plurality of biological components (205) that typically line a mammalian gut. Further, a second hollow fiber (201) is adjacent the first hollow fiber. The layer of one or more of the plurality of biological components can consist essentially of enterocytes. The enterocyte-lined inner surface is perfused with a feeding solution containing nutrients, and the enterocytes absorb, process, and transport the nutrients across the wall of the first hollow fiber. The nutrients eventually diffuse into the second hollow fiber. A perfusate selected from the group consisting of culture medium, blood, and plasma, can perfuse an inner surface of the second hollow fiber, whereby the perfusate is nourished by the nutrients.

Abstract: A bioreactor (10) has arranged within its internal chamber (14) a bundle of liquid-impermeable hollow tubes (16), which are used to freeze or vitrify a biologically active material seeded within the internal chamber. When the bioreactor is ready for use, the biologically active material may be thawed by perfusing the liquid-impermeable hollow tubes with a heated solution or heated vapor.

Abstract: A bioreactor (10) comprises an elastic housing (12) and a plurality of hollow, porous fibers (14) disposed within the housing. The lumens of the fibers define an intrafiber compartment, and the outer surfaces of the fibers and the housing define an extrafiber compartment. A variable flow device (34) varies the flow of the perfusate through the intrafiber compartment. The variable flow device can include a flow restrictor (34) that variably restricts the discharge of a perfusate (26) from the intrafiber compartment or a pump for increasing the flow of the perfusate into the intrafiber compartment. The elastic housing can include a wall (28) with perforations (30) extending therethrough and an elastic membrane (32) tightly surrounding the wall or a wall with at least one expansion port extending therethrough and at least one extrafiber space expander 38 coupled to a one of the at least one expansion port.

Abstract: A method is provided for preconditioning and cryopreservation of cells harvested from a donor. Cells are suspended in a cell conditioning and cryopreservation medium containing a cryopreservative such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and the suspension is incubated for a period of at least ten minutes and the cells are frozen. The medium includes adenosine, a calcium channel blocker, and a cell nutrient matrix comprising a sufficient amount of cell nutrients to sustain the metabolic needs of the cells during incubation without producing detectable levels of lactate or substantially depleting the nutrient substrates to maintain viability of the harvested cells. In some embodiments, a cryopreservative is added step-wise before the cell suspension is frozen and removed step-wise after the cell suspension is thawed.

Abstract: An artificial gut (100) comprises a first hollow fiber (203) having an inner surface (215) that is lined with at least a portion of a layer of one or more of a plurality of biological components (205) that typically line a mammalian gut. Further, a second hollow fiber (201) is adjacent the first hollow fiber. The layer of one or more of the plurality of biological components can consist essentially of enterocytes. The enterocyte-lined inner surface is perfused with a feeding solution containing nutrients, and the enterocytes absorb, process, and transport the nutrients across the wall of the first hollow fiber. The nutrients eventually diffuse into the second hollow fiber. A perfusate selected from the group consisting of culture medium, blood, and plasma, can perfuse an inner surface of the second hollow fiber, whereby the perfusate is nourished by the nutrients.

Abstract: The invention resides in apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells from donor tissue for later use in medical procedures. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure, at least one screening material inside the enclosure, an inlet port configured to conduct a fluid through the screening material, and an outlet port for receiving the fluid from the screening material and conducting the fluid out of the enclosure. A material to be screened is placed inside or conducted into the enclosure. Screened material is entrained in the fluid. The fluid carries bits of the material through the screening material and out of the enclosure for later separation from the fluid. Preferred embodiments include a series of screening materials of decreasing pore size, usually in the range from ten to one thousand micrometers in diameter.

Abstract: The invention resides in apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells from donor tissue for later use in medical procedures. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure, at least one screening material inside the enclosure, an inlet port configured to conduct a fluid through the screening material, and an outlet port for receiving the fluid from the screening material and conducting the fluid out of the enclosure. A material to be screened is placed inside or conducted into the enclosure. Screened material is entrained in the fluid. The fluid carries bits of the material through the screening material and out of the enclosure for later separation from the fluid. Preferred embodiments include a series of screening materials of decreasing pore size, usually in the range from ten to one thousand micrometers in diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that encodes proteins associated with liver neoplastic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Significantly, these proteins are not expressed in normal, non-neoplastic liver. In accordance with the present invention there also are provided antibodies that are capable of binding to the invention proteins, as well as methods and kits for screening for liver neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: An implantable catheter comprises a flexible elongated catheter body having an inflatable balloon positioned near its distal end. At least one distal delivery port is located distal of the balloon and at least one proximal delivery port is located proximal of the balloon. The balloon and the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected in fluid communication with individual lumens. The lumen connected to the balloon is connected to a balloon inflation port at the proximal end of the catheter. The lumens connected to the distal and proximal delivery ports are connected to distal and proximal injection ports. Preferably, the balloon inflation port and the distal and proximal injection ports are all built into an integrated port assembly adapted for implantation under the skin of a medical patient. In use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted and fed into a passageway such as a blood vessel until the balloon and delivery ports lie within a region of interest.