Method and apparatus for increasing adipose vascular fraction

Abstract

A method and device for processing mammalian adipose tissue such that the vascular rich fraction is separated from the vascular poor fraction, Mammalian adipose tissue in the form of morselated surgical biopsies and/or lipoaspirate from liposuction is placed within a novel syringe attached to a detection device measuring either color, light saturation, infra-red light, heme, iron or oxygen saturation. This process involves no label and minimal manipulation and handling of the tissue. This process and device may also be used intra-operatively under sterile conditions for immediate use within the same individual receiving liposuction or surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing the vascular fraction of adipose tissue comprising the steps of:
 a) breaking down adipose tissue into small pieces;   b) washing said pieces to remove blood, tumescent fluid and detached ADSC;   c) placing said washed pieces in a container;   d) processing said container so that oil, vascular rich fat, vascular poor fat and aqueous phases separate into layers; said vascular poor fat having a pure yellow color, absorbing light at 570 nm and containing oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin; said vascular rich fat having an orange color, absorbing light at 590 nm and containing oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin; said oxygenated hemoglobin absorbing more infrared light than red light; said deoxygenated hemoglobin, absorbing more red light than infrared light;   e) attaching said container to a detection chamber in a detection device;   f) applying pressure to said layers within said container;   g) removing and discarding said aqueous phase;   h) collecting said vascular rich fat;   i) detecting with said detection device when said vascular poor fat layer reaches said detection chamber; and   j) ceasing to apply pressure to said container.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said pieces are small enough to pass through a liposuction cannula. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said container is a syringe. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said container is a tube with a tapered fitting at its lower end. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which processing is performed via application of centrifugal force. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which pressure is applied by mechanical means 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which pressure is by pressurized gas. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of transferring said collected vascular rich fat into any mammalian host. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said fat can be broken down with any suitable form of energy. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  in which said energy is selected from the group comprising: laser, sonic and radio wavelength. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said fat can be broken down with a method selected from the group comprising: lithotripsy, hyfrecation, phacoemulsification, sonication, rotating blades, serial filtration, and forced screen filtration. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said fat can be broken down with any suitable chemical means. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  in which said chemicals are selected from the group comprising of collagenase and hypertonic media. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which washing is accomplished with a material selected from the group comprising saline, tissue culture media and phosphate buffered solution. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  in which said tissue culture media are selected from the group comprising: GMEM, RPMI, Eagle's, Fischer's, DMEM, Iscove's, McCoy's, L-15, DME-F1, and Ham's F12. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said washing step further includes the use of a filter of pore size that allows single cells of ADSC to pass through. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising addition of a non-toxic gradient to said container to improve separation of said layers. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  in which said non-toxic gradient is selected from the group comprising: tissue culture media, Histopaque 1077, wax, petroleum jelly, Percoll and CsCl. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  in which said tissue culture media are selected from the group comprising: GMEM, RPMI, Eagle's, Fischer's, DMEM, Iscove's, McCoy's, L-15, DME-F1, and Ham's F12. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said detection device is a spectrophotometer. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said detection device is a colorimeter. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said detection device is an oximeter. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which said detection device detects when said vascular poor fat layer reaches said detection device by color.