Jan-05-18
The removable, thread-like TRAFFIC implant could offer a new way to treat type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes destroys the islet cell clusters in the pancreas, and transplanting new insulin-producing islet cells into the patient’s body often triggers an immune system rejecting that must be treated with powerful drugs.
As an alternative, the research team developed the TRAFFIC (Thread-Reinforced Alginate Fiber for Islets enCapsulation), a nanoporous polymer thread coated in a hydrogel that contains the islet cells and protects them from attacks by the immune system. The thread can be easily implanted via a laparoscopic procedure, and then removed at the end of the cells’ functional lifespan.
More Info about this Invention:
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NEWATLAS.COM]
[
NEWS.CORNELL.EDU]
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