| abstract |
The present invention provides methods and devices for isolating cells from a subject by circulating the subject's body fluid over an affinity moeity coupled matrix to isolate isolate cells from a subject either ex vivo or in vivo. One aspect of the invention is directed to connecting a subject to a system capable of circulating the subject's body fluid through an affinity moiety coupled matrix, such that the affinity moiety coupled matrix is capable of binding to and extracting target cells from the body fluid, and then eluting the target cells from the affinity moiety. Another aspect of the invention is directed to the apparatus for isolating cells from a subject, comprising a blood circulation system with an arterial side blood circuit for extracting blood and flowing the blood over an affinity moiety coupled matrix that binds to and extracts target cells and a venous side blood circuit for returning the blood to the patient. The invention is also directed to in vivo seeding of biomatrials by implanting the affinity moiety coupled matrix in a subject to attract and bind the target cells in vivo. |