MICROFABRICATED TISSUE AS A SUBSTRATE FOR PIGMENT EPITHELIUM TRANSPLANTATION

Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue 12 growing cells 14 on modified membranous tissue 12, and for transplantation of modified tissues 12 and modified tissues 12 with attached cells 14 are provided. In particular methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue 12 such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial IPE cells 14, retinal pigment epithelial RPE cells, stem cells, or other cells on modified membranous tissue 12, and for modifying membranous tissue 12 and growing cells 14 on biodegradable polymer substrates 16. A membranous surface 18 may be modified by contact with a stamp or by coating with a stencil having passages allowing access to portions of the membranous surface 18. A method of modifying membranous tissues 12 comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue 12 with a contacting surface such as a stamp. Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, stem cells, or other cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A membranous surface may be modified by contact with a stamp or by coating with a stencil having passages allowing access to portions of the membranous surface. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes. Coating a surface of the modified membranous tissue with a bioabsorbable material aids the implantation of the membranous tissue into an animal. Membranous tissues may be modified in an intact animal by contact with a microcontact printing stamp in situ or by placement of a stencil onto membranous tissue in situ. La présente invention concerne des méthodes et un appareil qui permettent de modifier du tissu membraneux, des cellules en développement sur du tissu membraneux