Tissue Engineered Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt
AssigneeMilan Radojicic
InventorMilan Radojicic
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Abstract
This invention relates to cerebrospinal fluid shunts, and a method of treating shunt catheters, whereby the interior lumen of a shunt catheter, comprised of a biocompatible matrix, is seeded with cells for placement within cerebrospinal fluid pathways of the central nervous system. The seeded cells have at least one of the following characteristics: (1) they are of a polarized ependymal epithelial phenotype with tight junctional complexes and apical cilia directed toward the lumen of the catheter; (2) they maintain stem/progenitor characteristics and are capable of neurogenesis; (3) they maintain stem/progenitor characteristics and are capable of gliogenesis.
Claims17
) A shunt, comprising:
- a biocompatible material implantable in a cerebrospinal fluid pathway of the brain and spinal cord for the diversion of cerebrospinal fluid flow;
- a surface coating applied to the interior lumen surface of the shunt, said surface comprising a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one population of cells impregnated in said coating.
) The shunt of claim 1, wherein said outer population of cells are of a polarized ependymal epithelial phenotype with tight junctional complexes and apical cilia directed toward the lumen of the cerebrospinal fluid pathway.
) The shunt of claim 1, wherein the inner population of cells have stem/progenitor characteristics and are capable of neurogenesis.
) The shunt of claim 1, wherein the inner population of cells have stem/progenitor characteristics and are capable of gliogenesis.
) A method of reducing the obstruction of a catheter lumen, comprising:
- coating the interior surface of said catheter with a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one outer cell population containing enzymes.
) A method of claim 5, wherein said enzyme is a bacterial enzyme.
) A method of claim 5, wherein said enzyme is a proteolytic enzyme.
) A method of reducing the tonicity and translocation of intraluminal fluid, comprising:
- coating the interior surface of said catheter with a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one outer layer of cells with polarized ependymal epithelial phenotype with tight junctional complexes and apical cilia directed toward the lumen of the catheter
) A method of intraluminal fluid propulsion, comprising:
- coating the interior surface of said catheter with a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one outer layer of cells with polarized ependymal epithelial phenotype apical cilia directed toward the lumen of the catheter
) A method of central nervous wound repair, comprising:
- coating the interior surface of said catheter with a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one layer of stem/progenitor cells capable of gliogenesis.
) A method of central nervous wound repair, comprising:
- coating the interior surface of said catheter with a biocompatible matrix;
- and
- at least one layer of stem/progenitor cells capable of neurogenesis.
) The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix is formed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of cellulose ether, cellulose, cellulosic ester, fluorinated polyethylene, poly-4-methylpentene, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyacrylate, polybenzoxazole, polycarbonate, polycyanoarylether, polyester, polyestercarbonate, polyether, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polyfluoroolefin, polyglycolic acid, polyimide, polyolefin, polyoxadiazole, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulfide, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polythioether, polytriazole, polyurethane, polyvinyl, polyvinylidene fluoride, regenerated cellulose, silicone, urea-formaldehyde, copolymers and physical blends thereof.
) The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material is polyglycolic acid (PGA).
) The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix comprises a polymer.
) The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix comprises a hydrogel.
) The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix comprises a decellularized structure.
). The construct of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix is seeded with at least one additional cell population.