New multicomponent capsules for immunoisolation.
A new generation of microcapsules based on the use of oligomers which participate in polyelectrolyte complexation reactions has been developed. These freeze-thaw stable capsules have been applied as a bioartificial pancreas and have resulted in normoglycemia for periods of six months in concordant xenotransplantations. The new chemistry permits the control of permeability and mechanical properties over a wide range and can be adapted both to microcapsule and hollow fiber geometries rendering it a robust tool for encapsulation in general. Methods, and metrics, for the characterization of the mechanical properties and permeability of microcapsules are presented.
Bartkowiak
A
A
Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Canaple
L
L
Ceausoglu
I
I
Nurdin
N
N
Renken
A
A
Rindisbacher
L
L
Wandrey
C
C
Desvergne
B
B
Hunkeler
D
D
D001187:Artificial Organs; D002214:Capsules; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D010539:Permeability; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D002214:Capsules