# US 2021/0330442 A1 · Lymph node replacement construct > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330442 A1 - Document ID: US20210330442A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/369,726 - Filed: 2021-07-07 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-24 - Inventors: James E. Moore, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330442A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/022: {Artificial gland structures using bioreactors (hemodialysis A61M1/16; hemofiltration A61M1/34; other extracorporeal blood treatment A61M1/36)} - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - A61F 2002/0086: {for preferentially controlling or promoting the growth of specific types of cells or tissues} - A61F 2240/002: Designing or making customized prostheses - A61M 5/14: Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor - A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps - B29L 2031/7532: {Artificial members, protheses} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An implantable lymph node replacement construct (10) comprising a body (12) having a plurality of inlets (24,26) and a lesser number of outlets (30). The body (12) further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body (12) from the inlets (24,26) to the outlet or outlets (30). The internal structure of the body (12) comprises an inlet portion (38), a convergent portion (40) and an outlet portion (42) such that lymph received by the construct (10) at the inlets (24,26) is conveyed through the inlet portion (38) of the internal structure to the convergent portion (40) whereupon the lymph is combined before passing to the outlet or outlets (30). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of installing a lymph node replacement construct, comprising the steps of: implanting the lymph node replacement construct into a lymphoid drainage system of a subject, the lymph node replacement construct comprising: a body having one or more inlets and one or more outlets; the body further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body, from the inlet or inlets, to the outlet or outlets; the internal structure being enclosed within the body, which surrounds the internal structure; and the fluid communication path comprising a plurality of separate parallel or substantially parallel flow paths extending through and within at least a part of the body; wherein the implanting comprises positioning the lymph node replacement construct within the subject to provide a fluid connection between each inlet and a lymph vessel; wherein the implanting further comprises positioning the lymph node replacement construct within the subject to provide a fluid connection between each outlet and a lymph vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human, and the implanting step is carried out surgically. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the implanting step is carried out following lymph node removal surgery, at the location of a removed lymph node. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the implanting step comprises at least one of locating the inlet or inlets adjacent to, or connecting the inlet or inlets to, one or more afferent lymph vessels, and locating the outlet or outlets adjacent to, or connecting the outlet or outlets to, one or more efferent lymph vessels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an outer surface extending around the plural parallel flow paths, so that the flow paths are laterally contained within the outer surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body has one or more inlets and a greater number of outlets, the body further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body from the inlet or inlets to the outlets. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body has one or more outlets and a greater number of inlets, the body further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body from the inlets to the outlet or outlets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body has a plurality of inlets and an equal number of outlets, the body further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body from the inlets to the outlets. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the internal structure of the body comprises a plurality of separate conduits each extending through the body from the or each inlet to a corresponding outlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the or each conduit includes a unidirectional valve arranged to prevent the backflow of lymph in the direction from the outlet or outlets to the inlet or inlets. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical and has a barrel-shaped appearance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the construct is fabricated from a compliant, resilient material, optionally a polymer or a hydrogel polymer, optionally one or more of: polypropylene, polygylcolic acid, polycaprilactone and poly L lactic acid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the construct includes one or more biologically active substances disposed within the internal structure of the body, such as vascular endothelial growth factor C. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the internal structure of the body includes a unidirectional valve arranged to prevent the backflow of lymph in the direction from the outlet or outlets to the inlet or inlets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising externally manipulating the construct to pump lymph through the device via the one or more unidirectional valves. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the construct comprising first and second uni-directional valves, the first unidirectional valve arranged between the inlet or inlets, or outlet or outlets and the second unidirectional valve, such that external manipulation of the construct can open the valves to assist in the movement of lymph in the construct. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the lymph node replacement construct comprising a plurality of interconnected implantable lymph node replacement constructs. ### Claim 18 A method of installing a lymph node replacement construct, comprising the steps of: implanting the lymph node replacement construct into a lymphoid drainage system of a subject, the lymph node replacement construct comprising: a body comprising at least one first access port on an exterior of the body, at least one second access port on the exterior of the body, and a plurality of first conduits within the body, wherein the plurality of first conduits are parallel or substantially parallel to one another within an interior of the body to provide a plurality of separate parallel or substantially parallel flow paths within the interior of the body, wherein a flow pathway through the lymph node replacement construct comprises each first access port, each second access port, and the plurality of first conduits, wherein each first access port is fluidly connected with at least one second access port using at least one first conduit of the plurality of first conduits; wherein the implanting comprises positioning the lymph node replacement construct within the subject to provide a fluid connection between at least one lymph vessel of a first type and the at least one first access port, wherein each first access port is fluidly connected with a lymph vessel of the first type; wherein the implanting further comprises positioning the lymph node replacement construct within the subject to provide a fluid connection between at least one lymph vessel of a second type and the at least one second access port, wherein each second access port is fluidly connected with a lymph vessel of the second type. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1, 18) The method of claim 1 or claim 18, further comprising manufacturing the lymph node by 3-D printing.