Stacked Encapsulation Devices with Inter-Device Vascularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulation devices for cells lack efficient vascularization, which limits the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, and requires a larger device footprint and external oxygen delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two or more encapsulation devices stacked together with a connecting component that allows vasculature to grow between them, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients while reducing the device footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If encapsulation devices are implanted separately next to each other, then each device can be individually vascularized, but the device footprint is large and vascularization efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple encapsulation devices are stacked vertically and connected through a common connecting component, merging them into a single integrated system. This allows shared vascularization among all devices in the stack, improving vascularization efficiency while reducing the overall footprint compared to separate lateral placement of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from lateral (2D) arrangement of devices to vertical (3D) stacking, utilizing the z-dimension to reduce the footprint area while maintaining adequate spacing between devices for vascularization through the connecting component.
2Quantity of substance
If cells are packed at high density in encapsulation devices, then the device capacity is increased, but exogenous oxygen delivery is required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple encapsulation devices are merged into a stacked system with shared vascularization through the connecting component, enabling efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to high-density cell packs without requiring exogenous oxygen delivery systems.
3Strength
If connecting component covers entire periphery of encapsulation devices, then devices are securely connected, but vasculature growth between devices is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting component is designed with non-uniform coverage, leaving specific portions (such as circumferential gaps) uncovered to allow vasculature growth between devices while maintaining secure mechanical connection through the covered portions. This local differentiation of connection quality enables both strong attachment and biological integration.
Data Source
Figure 1A~3B
Figure 4~6C
Figure 7A~7D
AI summary
Systems featuring two or more encapsulation devices stacked together. The encapsulation devices house cells, such as but not limited to islet cells or stem cell derived beta cells or the like, e.g., for regulating blood glucose, or other cells or spheroids that can produce and release a therapeutic agent that is useful in the body, etc. The system may feature oxygen delivery, or in some cases no exogenous oxygen is delivered and vascularization of the device can help provide oxygen and other needed nutrient to the cells. The system of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other therapies such as an artificial pancreas. Stacking the devices with blood vessel formation around and in between them may allow for a decrease in the footprint that would be needed for implantation.