US5626561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable containment apparatus for a therapeutical device and method for loading and reloading the device therein
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-05-06
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, such as a drug delivery device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark D. Butler
- 👤 Stanley L. Mish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
A method of repeatedly filling and emptying an implantable containment apparatus tube with a therapeutical device, which comprises: (a) providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a tube comprised of a selectively permeable polymeric material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space of substantially uniform diameter, and an access means at each end of the tube that permits access to the luminal space of the tube; (b) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube to access the luminal space of the tube; (c) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (d) connecting the fluid stream means of step (c) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (e) establishing a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube with the fluid stream means of step (c); (f) entraining a therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (g) delivering the entrained therapeutical device into the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream; (h) discontinuing the fluid stream; (i) disconnecting the fluid stream means of step (c) from the opened access means; (j) closing both access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (k) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (l) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (m) connecting the fluid stream means of step (k) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (n) establishing a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube to entrain the therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (o) removing the entrained therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream of step (n); and (p) repeating steps (c) through (o) as desired.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
344 words
A method of repeatedly filling and emptying an implantable containment apparatus tube with a therapeutical device, which comprises: (a) providing an implantable containment apparatus in the form of a tube comprised of a selectively permeable polymeric material having an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a luminal space of substantially uniform diameter, and an access means at each end of the tube that permits access to the luminal space of the tube; (b) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube to access the luminal space of the tube; (c) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (d) connecting the fluid stream means of step (c) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus tube; (e) establishing a fluid stream through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube with the fluid stream means of step (c); (f) entraining a therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (g) delivering the entrained therapeutical device into the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream; (h) discontinuing the fluid stream; (i) disconnecting the fluid stream means of step (c) from the opened access means; (j) closing both access means of the implantable containment apparatus to contain the therapeutical device within the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (k) providing a means of establishing and maintaining a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus; (l) opening both access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (m) connecting the fluid stream means of step (k) to one of the opened access means of the implantable containment apparatus; (n) establishing a fluid stream around the therapeutical device and through the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus tube to entrain the therapeutical device in the fluid stream; (o) removing the entrained therapeutical device from the luminal space of the implantable containment apparatus with the fluid stream of step (n); and (p) repeating steps (c) through (o) as desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises: implanting the implantable containment apparatus tube in a recipient prior to performing steps (b) through (p).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises: implanting the implantable containment apparatus tube in a recipient subsequent to performing steps (b) through (j).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutical device is a cell encapsulation device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutical device is a drug delivery device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutical device is a gene therapy device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-11-04 | 2001-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-05 | 2004-11-04 | 2005-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-05 | 2008-11-04 | 2009-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |