Widespread application of islet transplantation as a cure for type 1 Diabetes Mellitus patients is limited mainly due to the need for life-long immunosuppression associated with serious side effects. Immunoisolation by encapsulation of islets in semi-permeable membranes may overcome this issue as it allows for transplantation potentially obviating the need for immunosuppressive drug therapy.

This work focuses on the development and validation of a model of the mass transfer and secretion kinetics of insulin – the major regulator of glucose homeostasis – in a new microwell membrane based encapsulation device for pancreatic islets. Due to the high number and complexity of parameters that determine the effectiveness of the device, the implementation of a reliable numerical model is of critical importance for optimization of the micro-confined bioengineered environment. The simultaneous solution of mass transfer and uptake/production reactions occurring through the polymeric membrane system and within the islets allows detailed description of the spatial distribution profiles of insulin, glucose, and oxygen with the aim to assure an adequate insulin dynamics. The simulation tool, experimentally validated, is used to improve the scaffold geometry with the aim to assure adequate responsiveness and function over time for future clinical implementation of the device.

胰岛移植作为1型糖尿病患者的治疗方法的广泛应用受到限制，这主要是由于需要终身免疫抑制以及严重的副作用。通过将胰岛包裹在半透膜中进行免疫隔离可以克服这个问题，因为它允许移植，从而有可能消除对免疫抑制药物疗法的需求。

这项工作的重点是在一种基于胰岛的新型微孔膜包封装置中，开发和验证胰岛素的传质和分泌动力学模型（葡萄糖稳态的主要调节剂）。由于决定设备有效性的参数数量众多且复杂，因此，可靠的数值模型的实现对于优化微约束生物工程环境至关重要。通过聚合物膜系统以及在胰岛内发生的传质和吸收/产生反应的同时解决方案，可以详细描述胰岛素，葡萄糖和氧气的空间分布，以确保足够的胰岛素动力学。经过实验验证的仿真工具，