Apparatus for supplementing function of endocrine glands

An apparatus for restoring or supplementing function of one or more glands of the endocrine system, comprising:

• a functional unit comprising:
• a membrane comprising a first surface and a second surface;
• a first channel system comprising a first luminal space, adhered to and in fluid communication with the first surface of the membrane, and comprising a first end configured to connect in fluid communication to a fluid supply and a second end configured to connect in fluid communication to a first fluid outlet;
• a second channel system comprising a second luminal space, adhered to and in fluid communication with the second surface of the membrane, and comprising a third end configured to connect in fluid communication to a second fluid outlet;
• wherein the first channel system and the second channel system are in fluid communication with each other across the membrane;
• wherein each of the first and second channel systems comprise first and second channel system walls;
• and
• wherein the second channel system has been populated with at least one cell type selected from the group consisting of adrenal cells, thyroid cells, ovarian epithelial cells, parathyroid cells, pituitary cells, thymus cells, and testicular epithelial cells, to generate functional, endocrine tissue adhered to the second channel system walls thereof.