| abstract |
Disclosed is an implantable, intravascular device for treating a medical disorder associated with the presence of a particular molecule in the systemic circulation of a mammal. When implanted, the device removes or reduces the concentration of the molecule in the blood stream thereby conditioning the blood. The device includes an anchor (10) component immobilizable to an inner wall of an intact blood vessel (30) and a cartridge (20) component that is retained in place within the blood vessel by the immobilized anchor. the cartridge contains a converting agent, for example, viable cells or enzyme preparations, that catabolize or convert the molecule of interest into one or more other molecules that are not associated with the disorder. The invention also provides a minimally or non-invasive method for introducing into and, optionally, removing from the blood vessel the device of the invention. |