Abstract: An implantable bioartificial active secretion system for providing a physiological secretion such as insulin necessary for functionality of a physiologic activity such as glucose metabolism of a living-being host. The system includes a housing implantable within the host in fluidic communication with tissue fluid indicative of secretion need. A chamber within the housing contains a plurality of physiologically active, autonomously functioning, live secretory cells for producing the physiological secretion. A periodically operating pump apparatus moves tissue fluid into contact with the secretory cells for pick up of the regulating physiological secretion for subsequent physiologically-effective dispensing into the host while avoiding immunorejection of the host body or of the host to the secretory cells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2001
Date of Patent:
January 28, 2003
Assignee:
Biodepo, Inc.
Inventors:
John M. Bartha, Lehel Balint, Gregory Zeltser, Arthur Bunzel, Yin S. Tang