title: A novel macroencapsulating immunoisolatory device: the preparation and properties of nanomat-reinforced amphiphilic co-networks deposited on perforated metal scaffold.
abstract: This paper describes the design and preparation of the non-biological components (the "hardware") of a conceptually novel bioartificial pancreas (BAP) to correct diabetes. The key components of the hardware are (1) a thin (5-10 microm) semipermeable amphiphilic co-network (APCN) membrane [i.e., a membrane of cocontinuous poly(dimethyl acryl amide) (PDMAAm)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) domains cross-linked by polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)] expressly created for macroencapsulation and immunoisolation of a tissue graft; (2) an electrospun nanomat of PDMS-containing polyurethane to reinforce the water-swollen APCN membrane; and (3) a perforated hollow-ribbon nitinol scaffold to stiffen and provide geometric stability to the construct. The reinforcement of water-swollen hydrogels with an electrospun nanomat is a generally applicable new method for hydrogel reinforcement. Details of device design and preparation are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of micro- and macro-immunoisolation are analyzed, and the requirements for the ideal immunoisolatory membrane are presented. Burst pressure, and glucose and insulin permeabilities of representative devices have been determined and the effect of device composition and wall thickness on these properties is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA.
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erdodi
authors.forename: Jungmee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.forename: Mukerrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grundfest-Broniatowski
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D019397:Pancreas, Artificial; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers