A novel macroencapsulating immunoisolatory device: the preparation and properties of nanomat-reinforced amphiphilic co-networks deposited on perforated metal scaffold

This paper describes the design and preparation of the non-biological components (the hardware) of a conceptually novel bioartificial pancreas (BAP) to correct diabetes. The key components of the hardware are (1) a thin (5-10 microm) semipermeable amphiphilic co-network (APCN) membrane [i.e., a membrane of cocontinuous poly(dimethyl acryl amide) (PDMAAm)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) domains cross-linked by polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)]...