| Scaffold and method for implanting cells -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Scaffold and method for implanting cellsUSPTO Application #: 20080051624Title: Scaffold and method for implanting cells Abstract: An improved method of implanting cells in the body of a patient includes positioning viable cells on a support structure. One or more blood vessels may be connected with the support structure to provide a flow of blood through the support structure. A support structure may be positioned at any desired location in a patient's body. The support structure may be configured to replace an entire organ or a portion of an organ. An organ or portion of an organ may be removed from a body cells and/or other tissue is removed to leave a collagen matrix support structure having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the organ or portion of an organ. Alternatively, a synthetic support structure may be formed. The synthetic support structure may have a configuration corresponding to a configuration of an entire organ or only a portion of an organ. (end of abstract) Agent: Paul D. Bianco: Fleit, Kain, Gibbons, Gutman, Bongini, & Bianco P.l. - Miami, FL, US Inventor: Peter M. Bonutti USPTO Applicaton #: 20080051624 - Class: 600036000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Blood Vessel Or Graft Preparation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080051624. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/457,100, filed Jun. 6, 2003. The '100 Application claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60/387,013 filed Jun. 7, 2002. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the implanting of cells into a body of a patient, and in particular to the implantation of viable cells on a scaffold or support structure. [0003] Various organs or other tissue in a patient's body may become defective due to trauma, disease, or other causes. Transplanting of organs and/or tissue has been utilized for the treatment of defective organs. However, problems have been encountered in securing an adequate number of suitable donor organs. It is believed that it may be desirable to have a patient grow a replacement organ, portion of an organ, or other body tissue for replacement of any defective tissue, organ, or portion thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates to a method of implanting viable cells into a body of a patient. The viable cells may be positioned on a support structure. One or more blood vessels in a patient's body may be connected with the support structure at one or more locations. The viable cells on the support structure may be exposed to blood flow in the support structure. One or more support structures may be provided and positioned in the patient's body. [0005] The support structure may be formed in many different ways. One way in which the support structure may be formed is by removing an organ or a portion of an organ from a body, either the patient's own body or another body. Cells and/or other tissue may be removed from the organ or portion of an organ to leave a collagen matrix support structure having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the organ or portion of an organ. Viable cells are positioned on the collagen matrix support structure. The support structure, which has a configuration corresponding to the configuration of an organ or portion of an organ, is positioned in the patient's body with the viable cells disposed on the support structure. Blood vessels may be connected with the support structure as it is positioned in the patient's body. [0006] The support structure may be formed by using an organ or portion of an organ from a body that is either the patient's body or another body as a pattern. Alternatively, the pattern may be synthetically constructed to have a configuration corresponding to the general configuration of an organ or portion of an organ in a patient's body. The pattern may be at least partially enclosed with mold material. The pattern and mold material are subsequently separated to leave a mold cavity. The synthetic support structure is subsequently shaped in the mold cavity. The synthetic support structure may be formed as a unitary member or formed by one or more intertwined strands. [0007] One or more expandable members may be utilized to align an implant and tissue in a patient's body. For example, one or more balloons may be utilized to align a portion of a blood vessel with a segment which is to be implanted into the blood vessel. [0008] It should be understood that the present invention has a plurality of different features which may be utilized separately or in various combinations. It is also contemplated that the various features of the invention may be utilized with known features from the prior art. Although specific combinations of features have been described herein, it is contemplated that other combinations of features will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will be formed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The foregoing and other features of the invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration depicting the manner in which a support structure is connected with portions of one or more blood vessels in a patient's body; [0011] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic plan view, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating in the manner in which viable cells may be positioned on the support structure of FIG. 1 and exposed to a flow of blood through the support structure; [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to FIG. 2, illustrating in the manner in which a barrier may be used to direct the flow of blood through a support structure; [0013] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 3, depicting the manner in which a plurality of blood vessels are connected with a support structure containing a barrier to direct a flow of blood through the support structure and to disperse the flow of blood in the support structure; [0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an organ, that is, a kidney, in a patient's body; [0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration depicting the manner in which a plurality of the support structures of FIGS. 1-4 may be positioned in the organ of FIG. 5; [0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration depicting the manner in which an organ or model of an organ may be used as a pattern to form a mold cavity in which a synthetic support structure may be formed; [0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration depicting the manner in which a support structure on which viable cells are disposed is utilized to replace a portion of a blood vessel; [0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration depicting the manner in which a balloon is utilized to align the support structure and portions of a blood vessel; [0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to FIG. 9, illustrating the manner in which a plurality of balloons may be utilized to align the support structure and portions of a blood vessel; [0020] FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of a support structure in the form of a three dimensional mesh of fibers. Continue reading... Full patent description for Scaffold and method for implanting cells Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Scaffold and method for implanting cells patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Scaffold and method for implanting cells or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Simplified implantable hearing aid transducer apparatus Next Patent Application: Phalloplasty Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Scaffold and method for implanting cells patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.49304 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
