Bioartificial Organs

Abstract

Abstract. Bioartificial organs combine the physical aspects of implantable prostheses with the biological advantages of organ transplantation. Enclosing live cells in a permselective, synthetic envelope avoids rejection by an irnmunoincompatible host while the geometric limitation of the closed polymer capsule prevents overgrowth of the transplanted material. As a tenet bioartificial organs widen the range of therapeutics based on the biological activity of cell transplants and open an alternative path to gene therapy. © 1992 International Society for Artificial Organs