Abstract: A method includes spreading a solution including a polyether and a photoinitiator onto a hydrophilic porous membrane, impregnating hydrophilic the porous membrane with the solution, and curing the solution located within the hydrophilic porous membrane by exposure to ultraviolet light to produce a composite membrane.

Abstract: An implantable medical system that comprises a gas unit for supplying gas that is essentially oxygen and at least one functional cells unit configured to receive oxygen from the gas unit so as to maintain the cells in a viable condition. The cells unit is flexible. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implantable medical system that comprises a gas unit for supplying gas that is essentially oxygen and at least one functional cells unit configured to receive oxygen from the gas unit so as to maintain the cells in a viable condition. The cells unit is flexible. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device containing transplanted tissue includes a housing, having a chamber configured for insertion into a body of a subject and protecting the transplanted tissue from the subject's immune system. The housing includes an oxygen supply container, a hydrogel layer, a port, and an access port. The oxygen supply container has a chamber defined by top and bottom surfaces and sides, disposed within the chamber of the housing. The top surface and the bottom surface of the oxygen supply container include a gas-permeable membrane. The hydrogel layer has inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the hydrogel layer contacts the top surface of the oxygen supply container or the bottom surface of the oxygen supply container. The port is configured to deliver oxygen to the oxygen supply container. The access port is configured to receive an exogenous supply of gas and is fluidly connected to the port.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implantable medical system that comprises a gas unit for supplying gas that is essentially oxygen and at least one functional cells unit configured to receive oxygen from the gas unit so as to maintain the cells in a viable condition. The cells unit is flexible. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for replenishing gas in a subcutaneously implanted medical device containing functional cells comprising: inserting at least one needle, adopted to penetrate the skin and connecting a subcutaneously implanted medical device; connecting the inserted at least one needle to a gas replenishing apparatus; extracting gas from a gas reservoir in the implanted device into the gas replenishing apparatus; sensing oxygen level in the extracted gas; calculating the amount of gas needed for replenishing oxygen in the reservoir based on the sensed oxygen level in the extracted gas; and supplying gas from a gas tank in the gas replenishing apparatus to the gas reservoir in the implanted device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a housing (22), configured for insertion into a body of a patient; a photosynthetic oxygen supply (24) configured to supply oxygen; and functional cells (30), coupled to the housing (22). The functional cells (30) are adapted to receive the oxygen and to secrete at least one factor that induces vascularization in a vicinity of the housing (22) when the housing (22) is in the body of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which includes a housing, configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus includes functional cells coupled to the housing and a source of oxygen configured to supply oxygen to the functional cells. The apparatus further includes an oxygen delivery interface configured to receive oxygen from the source of oxygen, and to facilitate passage of the oxygen to the functional cells, while the housing is disposed within the body of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a chamber, which is adapted to be implanted in a body of an individual, the chamber including functional cells and chlorophyll-containing elements comprising chlorophyll of an obligate photoautotroph.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of islets, and a hydrogel configured to macroencapsulate the plurality of islets. The hydrogel is implantable in a subcapsular space (21) of a kidney (22) of a subject and is shaped to define a planar configuration. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for replenishing gas in a subcutaneously implanted medical device containing functional cells comprising: inserting at least one needle, adopted to penetrate the skin and connecting a subcutaneously implanted medical device; connecting said inserted at least one needle to a gas replenishing apparatus; extracting gas from a gas reservoir in said implanted device into said gas replenishing apparatus; sensing oxygen level in said extracted gas; calculating the amount of gas needed for replenishing oxygen in said reservoir based on said sensed oxygen level in said extracted gas; and supplying gas from a gas tank in said gas replenishing apparatus to said gas reservoir in said implanted device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which includes a housing, configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus includes functional cells coupled to the housing and a source of oxygen configured to supply oxygen to the functional cells. The apparatus further includes an oxygen delivery interface configured to receive oxygen from the source of oxygen, and to facilitate passage of the oxygen to the functional cells, while the housing is disposed within the body of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.