Abstract: An artificial pancreas is described herein which comprises one or more viable and physiologically active pancreatic islet cells capable of producing insulin, encapsulated within a semipermeable spheroidal membrane comprising agar gel. Further disclosed are a method for producing agar microbeads, a tissue implantation method and a reseeding method for the artificial pancreas.

Abstract: An artificial liver support system is described herein which comprises cryopreserved hepatocytes having an initial viability of 80-99%. Further disclosed are hepatocytes cryopreserved by dispensing hepatocytes into freezing containers, freezing the containers from between minus 50 to minus 90 degrees Celsius, storing the containers in liquid or vapor nitrogen, thawing the cryopreserved hepatocytes when ready for use and removing residual cryoprotectant media.

Abstract: An artificial pancreas is described herein which comprises one or more viable and physiologically active pancreatic islet cells capable of producing insulin, encapsulated within a semipermeable spheroidal membrane comprising agar gel. Further disclosed are a method for producing agar microbeads, a tissue implantation method and a reseeding method for the artificial pancreas.

Abstract: An artificial liver support system is described herein which comprises cryopreserved hepatocytes having an initial viability of 80-99% and a metabolic activity 50-80% of fresh hepatocytes. Further disclosed are hepatocytes cryopreserved by dispensing hepatocytes into freezing containers, freezing the containers from between minus 50 to minus 90 degrees Celsius, storing the containers in liquid or vapor nitrogen, thawing the cryopreserved hepatocytes when ready for use and removing residual cryoprotectant media.

Abstract: An artifical pancreatic perfusion device comprising a hollow fiber having a porosity ranging from about 25 Kd to about 200 Kd. The hollow fiber has one end connected to a blood vessel for receiving blood and a second end connected to a blood vessel for returning said blood. Islets of Langerhans surround the hollow fiber. The hollow fiber and islets are surrounded by a housing comprising a semipermeable membrane having a pore size small enough to offer protection to the islets and host from immune reactive substances. Further disclosed is a method for providing and regulating insulin to insulin deficient individuals.

Abstract: A cell culture unit is disclosed herewith comprising a shell having two ends with an elongated chamber them between. A liquid and a gas perfusion port are located on each end. Liquid perfusion fibers are connected to the liquid perfusion ports and gas perfusion fibers are connected to the gas perfusion ports. These fibers thereby define an extracapillary and intracapillary space. The cell culture unit further comprises means for communicating with the intracapillary space of the gas perfusion fibers, means for communicating with the intracapillary space of the liquid perfusion fibers, and means for communicating with the extracapillary space.

Abstract: An automated system for casting hollow fiber membranes into a variety of prescribed shapes, including spiral, linear, circular and rectangular. The system also has the capability to change the configuration during casting, which increases productivity. A co-extrusion die is rotated over a stationary coagulation bath A computer is used to control the motion of the die to make a membrane with the desired shape The nozzle is oriented in a manner that will compensate for distortions that occur in wall thickness in the area of a bend. In addition, the nozzle's annulus is offset to make the leading portion of the annulus slightly thicker and the trailing portion thinner at the point where the fluids exit the nozzle, which results in a uniformly symmetric wall thickness. A system embodying the invention includes X, Y and .theta.-directional servomotors 1A-1C (FIG. 1), each of which is coupled to an associated position encoder 2A-2C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to a process for making a microporous plasmapheresis membrane having an immobilized affinity agent. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: A morphologically heterogeneous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane comprising a sponge-like dense inner surface permeable to molecules of less than or equal to 30,000 Daltons, said inner surface having a fraction surface porosity from about 70 to about 80%; and an outer surface having large pores ranging from about 6 to about 16 .mu.m in diameter and small pores less than 500.ANG. in diameter and a fractional surface porosity from about 20 to about 30%; a method for producing same and a hemodialysis treatment method and apparatus incorporating same.

Abstract: There are disclosed sterilant compositions having improved biocompatibility comprising a sterilant such as sodium chlorite, an acid such as citric acid, and a buffer such as sodium bicarbonate, the compositions forming an isotonic solution with pH of approximately 7.3.The compositions are particularly useful for cleansing and sterilizing kidney hemodialysis apparatus with minimal disruption of the protein layer which forms on the internal surface of the hollow fibers of a dialysis membrane when a patient is undergoing treatment with the apparatus thus establishing improved biocompatibility between patient and apparatus. The compositions are also useful in other areas of technology, such as, for example, food and wine making technologies.

Abstract: A chromatography system comprises a chromatography column 1 consisting of a column tube 7 having end flanges 19 and 27 at its lower and upper ends, supporting an upper end cap 3 carrying a piston rod 9 and a piston 11. The system further comprises a container 20 for the separation media used in the chromatography column, this container having a neck ring 24 of injection moulded construction with a mouth end of a bag 22 embedded therein.

Abstract: An end cell for a chromatography column has a moulded plastics structure and an integral screen formed of a woven mesh of fibres of the same plastic material as used for the end cell. A peripheral ring of the same plastics material is injection moulded to the perimeter of the mesh, said ring being secured to the end cell in a leak-proof manner, preferably by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive meeting Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. 181A requirements and specifications for foil tapes for use with rapid fiberglass air ducts consisting essentially of:(1) 100 phr of a block copolymer consisting of from 75 to about 100 parts be weight of a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer and from 0-25 parts by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of a styrene-isoprene diblock copolymer, a styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer and a mixture of styrene-isoprene diblock copolymer and styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer;(2) from about 60 to about 110 phr of rubber phase associating resin;(3) from about 5 to about 30 phr of a polyestyrene phase associating resin;(4) an effective amount of flame retardant;(5) an effective amount of antioxidant for the rubbery isoprene moiety; and(6) a crosslinking system for crosslinking the isoprene moiety;and foil tapes including same.

Abstract: Novel system for providing lubricity to the surface of a nasogastric intubation device, which system comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture consisting essentially of: (1) an effective amount of an unsaturated higher fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms; and (2) a polymer compatible therewith.The mixture may be coated on the surface of the portion of the length of the tube assembly to be lubricated or, alternatively, the acid may be contained in the polymer mix employed in the manufacture of the tube assembly.When the acid-containing surface is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution prior to intubation, the acid is converted to the corresponding lubricious soap.