Biological implant with textured surface

Claim 2

A mass transfer device for implantation in soft tissue, said device including a supporting member having a surface textured to define a regular array of micropillars with valleys therebetween and a thin diffusion membrane covering said micropillars and valleys and conforming with the surface contour of said member; said membrane-covered micropillars each having a height no less than l00 microns and a width no greater than 500 microns, with adjacent micropillars of said array being spaced apart a distance no greater than 500 microns.

Claim 3

The mass transfer device of Claim l in which said spacing falls within the range of 25 to 250 microns.

Claim 4

The mass transfer device of Claims l or 2 in which said width falls within the range of 25 to 250 microns.

Claim 5

The mass transfer device of Claim l in which said diffusion membrane is a polymeric film of substantially uniform thickness.

Claim 6

The mass transfer device of Claim 4 in which said thickness falls within the range of about 0.05 to 50 microns.

Claim 7

The mass transfer device of Claim l in which said member is electrically conductive and includes in its composition a catalyst capable of catalyzing a reaction with a selected blood analyte diffusible through said membrane.

Claim 8

The mass transfer device of Claim l in which said member includes a reservoir for containing an aqueous solution of a therapeutic agent and a multiplicity of passages extending from said reservoir to said membrane.

Claim 9

The mass transfer device of Claim 7 in which at least some of said passages extend through said micropillars of said member to said membrane covering the ends of said micropillars.

Claim 10

A mass transfer device for subcutaneous or perivascular implantation, comprising a supporting member having a surface textured to define a regular array of micropillars of generally rectangular cross section separated by valleys, and a thin continuous polymeric diffusion membrane of substantially uniform thickness covering said micropillars and valleys and conforming with the surface contour of said member; said micropillars being of uniform dimensions and being arranged in rows extending at generally right angles to each other; said membrane-covered micropillars each having a height no less than l00 microns and a width no greater than 500 microns, with adjacent micropillars of said array being spaced uniformly apart a distance no greater than 500 microns.

Claim 11

A mass transfer device for subcutaneous or perivascular implantation, comprising a supporting member having a surface textured to define a regular array of micropillars of generally rectangular cross section separated by valleys, and a thin continuous polymeric diffusion membrane of substantially uniform thickness covering said micropillars and valleys and conforming with the surface contour of said member; said micropillars being of uniform dimensions and being arranged in rows extending at generally right angles to each other; said membrane-covered micropillars each having a height no less than l00 microns and a width no greater than 500 microns, with adjacent micropillars of said array being spaced uniformly apart a distance no greater than 500 microns.

Claim 12

l0. The mass transfer device of Claim 9 in which said spacing falls within the range of 25 to 250 microns.

Claim 13

The mass transfer device of Claim 9 in which said width falls within the range of about 25 to 250 microns.

Claim 14

The mass transfer device of Claims 9 or l0 in which the width/height aspect ratio of each micropillar is about l:5.

Claim 15

The mass transfer device of Claims 9, l0, or ll in which said member is electrically conductive and includes in its composition a catalyst capable of catalyzing a reaction with a selected blood analyte diffusible through said membrane.

Claim 16

The mass transfer device of Claims 9, l0, or ll in which said member includes a reservoir for containing an aqueous solution of a therapeutic agent and a multiplicity of passages extending from said reservoir to said membrane.

Claim 17

The mass transfer device of Claim l4 in which at least some of said passages extend through said micropillars and communicate with said membrane at the ends of said micropillars.

Claim 18

The mass transfer device of Claim 9 in which said diffusion membrane has a thickness within the range of about 0.05 to 50 microns.