Chondrocyte Container and Method of Use

Abstract

Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent produced via a genetically-altered chondrocyte are provided. More specifically, the device includes a housing which defines a cell chamber configured to retain a large volume of chondrocytes while selectively releasing therapeutic agents produced via these entrapped cells. In an exemplary embodiment, the cell chamber can be configured such that a portion of cells can be positioned at least about 1.5 mm from an external wall of the device (i.e., about 1.5 mm away from an external nutrient supply). For example, the cell chamber can have a tubular configuration having a length and a diameter wherein each of these dimensions is at least about 3 mm (thereby the central core to the chamber is at least about 1.5 mm from the outer wall of the device).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A delivery device, comprising:
 a housing having a cell chamber configured to retain a plurality of chondrocytes, the cell chamber having a length and a diameter, the length and the diameter each at least about 3 mm; and   a portion of the housing configured to allow passage of a therapeutic agent produced via the chondrocytes.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery device of  claim 2 , wherein the housing further includes at least one semi-permeable port configured to allow passage of the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap removably coupled to an end of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a suture loop coupled to the housing, the suture loop configured to engage the device to a tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes an expandable chamber, the expandable chamber separated from the cell chamber by a piston element. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the expandable chamber houses a water swellable agent configured to supply a force to the piston in response to an input of water. 
     
     
         9 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable chamber further includes a proximal end having an osmotic membrane thereby allowing for the input of water to the expandable chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The delivery device of  claim 7 , further comprising an auxiliary fluid chamber positioned between the cell chamber and the expandable chamber, the auxiliary fluid chamber configured to house an auxiliary fluid and the auxiliary fluid chamber separated from the cell chamber via a semi-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The delivery device of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary fluid includes cell nutrients. 
     
     
         12 . The delivery device of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary fluid includes an agent capable of modifying an aspect of chondrocyte performance. 
     
     
         13 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery tube in communication with the housing such that the therapeutic agent can be delivered from the cell chamber to a distant location. 
     
     
         14 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary fluid reservoir in communication with the cell chamber via a valve, the valve configured to allow or prohibit the introduction of the auxiliary fluid to the cell chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The delivery device of  claim 14 , further comprising a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a entrance port configured to allow for the introduction of chondrocytes to the cell chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The delivery device of  claim 16 , wherein the entrance port is a rubber septum. 
     
     
         18 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is at least partially made from a porous material selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, and polymers. 
     
     
         19 . A delivery device, comprising:
 a cell chamber configured to retain a plurality of chondrocytes, the cell chamber further configured to allow for the release of a therapeutic agent produced by the chondrocytes, wherein the cell chamber is sized such that a portion of the chondrocytes are a distance of at least about 1.5 mm from an outer wall of the device.