Pall applies patent with USPTO for disposable, closed cell collection and seeding system

Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL), a global leader in filtration, separation and purification, has applied for a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a disposable, closed cell collection and seeding system that is being developed for use in ground-breaking vein regeneration procedures. Designed in collaboration with researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine, the new technology offers a convenient method for the isolation and collection of a patient's mononuclear cells. These cells are then seeded onto a biocompatible scaffold or tissue graft in preparation for implantation into that patient.

"This new point-of-care cell harvest and delivery system currently in development will speed the multi-step process of isolating and delivering cells to an engineered vascular graft that can be implanted in a patient, and become a major blood vessel returning blood to the heart," says Byron Selman, president, Pall Medical. "Since the system is pre-connected and completely closed, the entire process can be started and completed right next to the operating table, eliminating the need for a clean room and limiting the possibility of contamination."

Spearheaded by pediatric surgeons at the Yale School of Medicine, the initial procedure for which this technology is being developed involves the implanting of bioengineered grafts in patients with congenital heart defects to replace damaged or missing blood vessels. The new blood vessel then grows with the patient. The procedure, which is featured in a recent issue of Nature Medicine {Dolgin, E. (2011). Taking tissue engineering to heart. Nature Medicine, 17, 1032-1032. doi:10.1038/nm0911-1032}, is currently in clinical trials in the U.S.

"The creation of the new cell collection and seeding system provides a great example of how Pall works with leading clinicians to enhance their medical processes," says Dr. Michael Egholm, chief technology officer, Pall Corporation. "We see a world of possibilities in the tissue engineering industry and beyond for using this technology to positively impact people's lives."

For example, this technology allows for the potential development of a product that can be used in revascularization. With an aging population, the demand for procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting is increasing. In these types of procedures, the challenge is the lack of available blood vessels to serve as replacement arteries. This is especially true in repeat operations where the large veins of the leg have already been used and are no longer available. The generation of new blood vessels is an ideal alternative to inanimate graft material in revascularization procedures. Other applicable forms of this surgery include lower extremity revascularization, where the blood supply to the leg is compromised by peripheral artery disease, and mesenteric artery revascularization to restore blood flow to the gastrointestinal track.

Hemodialysis is another potential application for the technology. With hemodialysis, segments of large blood vessels eventually become damaged after repeated connection to the hemodialysis equipment. Newly formed segments of blood vessels can allow patients to continue treatment while waiting for a kidney transplant. Development of the technology for applications such as hemodialysis will require human clinical trials, which if successful, can ultimately lead to widespread usage to improve patient health care.