Stem cell and dental pulp harvesting method and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for recovering dental pulp from dentition of a donor are disclosed, wherein the pulp from within extracted teeth utilizing such methods and apparatus is harvested, while preserving a sterile environment and avoiding trauma and infection, and stem cells, dendritic cells, and other cells isolating from the pulp, and the various cells propagated and expanded for subsequent use in repair or regeneration of tissues of the body, for therapeutic treatments, and other medical purposes.

1 . A method for collecting tooth pulp comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth from a donor;    treating the tooth with sterilizing medium to create a sterile field around the tooth;    removing tooth pulp from the tooth.    
     
     
         2 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 1 , wherein the treating step includes: 
 placing the tooth into a sterilizing medium; and    removing the tooth from the sterilizing medium.    
     
     
         3 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 placing the tooth into an isotonic solution.    
     
     
         4 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 3 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         5 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 1 , wherein the removing step includes: 
 covering the tooth with isotonic solution to protect the tooth;    dissecting the tooth by breaking it into the components of tooth pulp, hard tooth fragments to which no tooth pulp adheres, and hard tooth fragments to which tooth pulp adheres;    separating tooth pulp from the hard tooth fragments to which tooth pulp adheres; and    gathering the tooth pulp and separated tooth pulp.    
     
     
         6 . A method for collecting tooth pulp comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth from a donor;    treating the tooth with sterilizing medium to create a sterile field around the tooth;    treating the tooth with isotonic solution to dilute the sterilizing medium;    dissecting the tooth by breaking it;    separating tooth pulp adhering to hard tooth fragments from the hard tooth fragments; and    gathering the tooth pulp.    
     
     
         7 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 6 , wherein the treating the tooth with sterilizing medium step includes: 
 placing the tooth into a sterilizing medium; and    removing the tooth from the sterilizing medium.    
     
     
         8 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 placing the tooth into an isotonic solution.    
     
     
         9 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 8 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         10 . A method for collecting tooth pulp comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth from a donor;    applying sterilizing medium to the tooth to create a sterile field around the tooth;    freezing the tooth;    thawing the tooth;    removing tooth pulp from the tooth.    
     
     
         11 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 10 , wherein the applying step includes: 
 treating the tooth with the sterilizing medium; and    treating the tooth with an isotonic solution.    
     
     
         12 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         13 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the removing tooth pulp step includes: 
 dissecting the tooth by breaking it;    separating tooth pulp adhering to hard tooth fragments from the hard tooth fragments; and    gathering the tooth pulp.    
     
     
         14 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 13 , wherein the dissecting step includes: 
 placing the tooth into isotonic solution; and    applying force to break the tooth into hard tooth fragments and tooth pulp.    
     
     
         15 . The method for collecting tooth pulp of  claim 14 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         16 . A dissection vessel for dissection of teeth comprising: 
 a water-tight vessel having sides, an opening, and a bottom;    two members within the vessel, joined along their edges to create a trough, the trough having an apex facing the bottom of the vessel;    a vessel closure capable of engaging the sides of the vessel;    a moveable supporting shaft;    means for moving the movable supporting shaft within the vessel so as to advance the shaft toward the apex of the trough; and    a wedge-shaped splitting bit capable of engaging the moveable supporting shaft.    
     
     
         17 . The dissection vessel of  claim 16 , further comprising restriction means for controlling the advance of the splitting bit toward the apex of the trough.  
     
     
         18 . A collection kit for treating teeth comprising: 
 a first tube having sides, a first bottom, a first interior compartment, and a first opening;    a first closure means for closing the first opening of the first tube;    a second tube having sides, a second bottom, a second interior compartment, and a second opening; and    a second closure means for closing the second opening of the second tube.    
     
     
         19 . The collection kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a ladle, the ladle having a handle, the ladle sized sufficiently small to fit within the first interior of the first compartment.  
     
     
         20 . The collection kit of  claim 19 , further comprising a shipping container having sides, an interior, and an opening into the interior, the interior sized sufficiently large to allow the first tube and second tube to reside within, the opening sized sufficiently large to allow the placement of the first tube and the second tube within the interior.  
     
     
         21 . A method for using a tooth collection kit comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth;    placing the tooth into a first sterilization compartment of the collection kit;    removing the tooth from the first sterilization compartment utilizing a ladle;    utilizing the ladle, placing the tooth into a second compartment of the collection kit containing neutral solution; and    sealing the second compartment of the collection kit.    
     
     
         22 . The method for using a tooth collection kit of  claim 21 , further comprising placing the second compartment of the collection kit into a refrigerator.