Liver assist system based on hollow fiber cartridges or rotating bioreactor

摘要

A liver assist system includes (a) a cross-flow configured hollow fiber microfiltration cartridge or (b) a rotating bioreactor, loaded with viable hepatocytes and at least one oxygen source to promote hepatocyte viability. The rotating bioreactor liver assist system may also be fitted with an oxygen source(s) adequate to promote long-term hepatocyte viability, and is optionally fitted with a hollow fiber microfiltration cartridge serving as a filter to prevent the hepatocyte escape from the bioreactor into the subject. Such a system is used in a method to metabolize and/or detoxify molecules found in blood, plasma, or other perfusable fluid. The system provides restorative or substitutive liver function ex vivo in subjects with liver insufficiency, those in imminent risk of liver insufficiency, or those awaiting liver transplantation. Hepatocytes maintained in this system have the functional attributes of intact healthy liver, manifest by conversion of ammonia to urea and various drugs to their respective metabolites.