CPC A61M 25/0021 (2013.01) [B82Y 5/00 (2013.01); B82Y 15/00 (2013.01); A61L 2400/12 (2013.01); A61M 2025/006 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0042 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0213 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0687 (2013.01)] | 22 Claims |
1. An apparatus for guiding cells, the apparatus comprising:
an axially elongated tube having a sidewall defining a lumen within the tube, the lumen having a closed distal end and an open proximal end;
an inlet formed in the sidewall, the inlet opening being elongated along the axial direction;
a reservoir device defining a reservoir within the reservoir device, wherein the reservoir comprises a base portion having a reservoir base opening, and wherein a proximal end portion of the tube extends through the reservoir base opening such that the tube lumen is in fluid communication with the reservoir;
a lock ring for securing the proximal end portion of the tube to the base portion of the reservoir by pinching the sidewall of the tube between the lock ring and the base portion of the reservoir; and
a nanofiber structure having a distal end portion disposed within the lumen at a position distal to the inlet opening, the nanofiber structure extending in the axial direction outward from the lumen and into the reservoir device to a location within the reservoir,
wherein the tube lumen is patent between its distal end and proximal end with only the nanofiber structure disposed therein.
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