An Artificial Endocrine Pancreas Containing Cultured Islets of Langerhans

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study was directed toward the development of an artificial endocrine pancreas. The device contains functioning Islets of Langerhans sequestered in a chamber equipped with an internal, looped semipermeable fiber which may be attached to a blood vessel. Our experiments showed that when the device was attached to diabetic monkeys by an arteriovenous shunt, the islets responded to increased levels of blood glucose by increased flow of insulin across the semipermeable barrier and that a normoglycemic state was attained. These findings are in agreement with those of others, and with our published data, but a major drawback to practical application of previously described devices is the necessity of preventing thrombi in the lumen of the fiber by a high dosage of circulating anticoagulants. We have addressed this problem and have developed a fiber which contains heparin covalently bonded to the lumen. The coating has been found to be irreversibly bound to the surface of the fiber. After attachment of the device, containing the modified fiber, to monkey blood vessels, function was maintained for as long as six days after which the anastomosis between the blood vessel and the fiber was found to have been occluded by a thrombus. The lumen remained patent. Further work is needed to resolve this problem but it would appear that the device has practical application in the treatment of the diabetic.