Microfabricated membranes for immunoisolation

Summary form only given. The application of microfabrication technology to create precise separation and isolation membranes for biomedical applications is reviewed. By utilizing standard microfabrication techniques, membranes were fabricated with well-controlled and uniform pore sizes, allowing the optimisation of membrane parameters for cell immunoisolation. The membrane forming process employs bulk and surface micromachining to define chambers within single crystalline silicon wafers that interface with the surrounding biological environment through polycrystalline silicon filter membranes. Membranes were fabricated to present a high density of uniform pores to allow sufficient permeability to nutrients while preventing the passage of immunoglobulin G. The semipermeability of microfabricated membranes, their biocompatibility, ease in sterilization, along with their thermal and chemical stability, may provide significant advantages for biomedical applications