Abstract: A cell culture unit is disclosed herewith comprising a shell having two ends with an elongated chamber there 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 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 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.