Cell-embedded vascular graft for transplantation

A method for transplanting cells into a patient comprising:

• providing a transplantation graft comprising:
• a first graft layer having a generally cylindrical configuration and defining a lumen configured to receive a blood flow of the patient directly therethrough, wherein the first graft layer directly contacts the blood flow within the lumen;
• a non-alginate coating layer surrounding the first graft layer;
• and
• a plurality of implanted cells encapsulated within a plurality of alginate microbeads imbedded within either the first graft layer or the non-alginate coating layer, wherein the transplantation graft is implanted in the patient in an arteriovenous configuration, and the non-alginate coating layer protects the implanted cells from the patient's immune system;
• implanting the plurality of cells into the first graft layer or the non-alginate coating layer of the transplantation graft;
• and
• implanting the transplantation graft into the patient in an arteriovenous configuration.

A method of treating a patient in need thereof, comprising,

• implanting a transplantation graft comprising:
• a first graft layer having a generally cylindrical configuration and defining a lumen configured to receive a blood flow of the patient therethrough, wherein the first graft layer directly contacts the blood flow within the lumen;
• a non-alginate coating layer surrounding the first graft layer;
• and
• a plurality of implanted cells encapsulated within a plurality of alginate microbeads imbedded within either the first graft layer or the non-alginate coating layer, into the patient in an arteriovenous configuration, wherein the non-alginate coating layer protects the implanted cells from the patient's immune system;
• wherein the plurality of implanted cells in the transplantation graft release a biologically active agent in response to a biological factor in blood flowing through the lumen of the transplantation graft.