Membrane
AssigneeUCL Business PLC
InventorsPeter Coffey, Lyndon Da Cruz, Karen Cheetham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a membrane for supporting cells, especially RPE cells. The membrane is useful in the treatment of conditions such as age related macular degeneration.
Claims24
A membrane for supporting the growth of cells, the membrane being non-biodegradable and porous, the pores being between approximately 0.2 μm and 0.5 μm in diameter.
A membrane according to any preceding claim wherein the membrane hydraulic conductance of the membrane is more than 50×10−10 m sec−1 Pa−1.
A membrane according to any preceding claim wherein the membrane may be sterilised by gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide, autoclaving or UV sterilization without degrading.
A membrane according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane may be sealed by ultrasonic sealing, radio frequency sealing or insert moulding.
A membrane according to any preceding claim having a maximum thickness of approximately 11 μm.
A membrane according to any preceding claim having a maximum weight of approximately 1.5 mg/cm2.
A membrane according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is hydrophilic.
A membrane according to any preceding claim, the membrane having a pH of 4 to 8.
A membrane according to any preceding claim, the membrane comprising a coating on at least one side.
A membrane according to any preceding claim further comprising a layer of cells on the membrane.
A membrane according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is made from a hydrophilic polymer selected from a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyurea-urethane, a polyamide, a polyether-ester, a polycarbonate, a polyacrylate, poly(tetrafluoroethene), a polysiloxane, a polyolefin, and polyoxymethylene.
A membrane for supporting the growth of cells, the membrane being substantially non-biodegradable and porous and having a maximum thickness of approximately 11 μm.
A membrane for supporting the growth of cells, the membrane comprising a substantially non-biodegradable and porous support layer coated on at least one side with a coating comprising laminin-1.
A method of seeding cells onto a membrane comprising the step of seeding the cells onto the membrane at a density of 200000 cells per cm2 or greater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.