摘要 |
The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for seeding an implantable medical device, such as a vascular prosthesis, with cells, such as endothelial cells. The invention supports techniques for seeding a luminal surface of the device with axial centrifugation. Cells are introduced in suspension into the lumen of the device, and the device is subjected to centrifugation around a longitudinal axis defined by the lumen. Axial centrifugation causes the cells to concentrate toward the luminal surface. Shortly after axial centrifugation, the seeded device can be presented for implantation in a patient.
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