Numerical investigation of a novel spiral wound membrane sandwich design for an implantable bioartificial pancreas.

A novel spiral wound membrane sandwich (SWMS) design for an implantable bioartificial pancreas is presented and is numerically evaluated using a comprehensive model of the glucose-insulin kinetics within the device. The spiral blood flow pattern in this design induces a convective flow of blood ultrafiltrate directly through the islet chamber. Use of ultrafiltration in addition to diffusion allows rapid transmission of blood glucose changes to the islet chamber and efficient transport of insulin from the islet chamber back to the blood stream. Simulation results suggest that the implantable bioartificial pancreas design presented in this paper may offer a means of improving the control of blood glucose levels in type I diabetics.