| abstract |
A method for treating diabetes in a patient comprising subcutaneously implanting in the patient at least one immunoisolatory vehicle comprising a core comprising a volume of at least 1 mu l and at least about 104 living cells which secrete insulin, said cells being dispersed in a biocompatible matrix comprising a hydrogel or extracellular matrix components, and a surrounding external jacket of a biocompatible thermoplastic or hydrogel free of said cells projecting externally thereof, said jacket being permselective and immunoisolatory, said jacket having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules between the patient and core through said jacket wherein the insulin is released from the immunoisolatory vehicle into the patient's body to treat diabetes. |