IMPLANTABLE BIOCOMPATIBLE IMMUNOISOLATORY VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY OF SELECTED THERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS

摘要

An immunoisolatory vehicle for the implantation into an individual of cells which produce a needed product or provide a needed metabolic function. The vehicle is comprised of a core region containing isolated cells and materials sufficient to main- tain the cells, and a permselective, biocompatible, peripheral region free o f the isolated cells, which immunoisolates the core yet provides for the delivery of the secreted product or metabolic function to t he individual. The vehicle is particularly well-suited to delivery of insulin from immunoisolated islets of Langerhans, and can also b e used advantageously for delivery of high molecu- lar weight products, such as products larger than IgG. A method of making a biocompatible, immunoisolatory implantable vehi- cle, consisting in a first embodiment of a coextrusion process, and in a second embodiment of a stepwise process. A method for isolating cells within a biocompatible, immunoisolatory implantable vehicle, which protects the isolated cells from attack by the immune system of an individual in whom the vehicle is implanted. A method of providing a needed biological product or meta- bolic function to an individual, comprising implanting into the individual a n immunoisolatory vehicle containing isolated cells which produce the product or provide themetabolic function.