Microfabricated capsules for isolation of cell transplants

摘要

The present invention provides a capsule (20) made of biologically compatible materials with sufficient mechanical strength to form annular side walls (22) and very thin membrane shell end faces (24 and 26) with approximately uniformly sized and spaced pores that are large enough to let a desired biologically active molecular product through, while blocking the passage of all larger immunological molecules. The present invention thus provides an immunological isolation of cell transplants contained therein. The present invention also provides a free standing thin film structure that may be used as a component of such a capsule (20), methods for the fabrication of such capsules (20) and a method of using such capsules (20) in administering a biologically active molecule to a host organism.