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US 5,720,969 AGranted
Membrane formed by an acrylonitrile-based polymer
AssigneeCytoTherapeutics, Inc.
InventorsFrank Gentile, Molly Shoichet, Milton Harris
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AssigneeCytoTherapeutics, Inc.
InventorsFrank Gentile, Molly Shoichet, Milton Harris
Estimating the term…
A permselective graft polymer is disclosed that is formed by converting into intermediate reactive sites a portion of the cyano groups of a backbone polymer and grafting polyalkylene oxide polymer chains to the backbone polymer through the reactive sites. Either the backbone polymer of a polymer resin or a permselective polymer membrane can be grafted. When a resin is used, it is formed into a permselective polymer membrane using known methods. The resulting permselective membrane can be formed into hollow fibers or flat sheets for the encapsulation of living cells. The encapsulated cells are then implanted into a patient in need of the biologically-active factors produced by the cells. The permselective graft polymer membrane exhibits good molecular diffusion with minimal protein adsorption.
A graft polymer formed by converting into intermediate reactive sites a portion of the C.tbd.N (cyano) groups of a backbone polymer containing ##STR4## units, wherein a portion of said --C.tbd.N (cyano) groups have been converted into intermediate reactive sites, wherein said reactive sites are formed by reduction of said cyano groups, and grafting polyalkylene oxide polymer chains to said backbone through said reactive sites.
A method for forming a graft polymer from a polymer backbone formed by converting into intermediate reactive sites a portion of the C.tbd.N (cyano) groups of a backbone polymer containing ##STR5## units, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.