Method and apparatus for harvesting and dispensing a fibrin clot

Abstract

Apparatus for extracting fibrin from blood so as to form a fibrin clot, the apparatus comprising: a vessel for holding drawn blood; a lid for selectively closing off the vessel; and a precipitator connected to the lid for engaging the drawn blood contained within the vessel and acting as a focal point for the precipitation of fibrin clot.

1 . Apparatus for extracting fibrin from blood so as to form a fibrin clot, the apparatus comprising:
 a vessel for holding drawn blood;   a lid for selectively closing off the vessel; and   a precipitator connected to the lid for engaging the drawn blood contained within the vessel and acting as a focal point for the precipitation of fibrin clot.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the precipitator comprises a rod. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the rod is slidably connected to the lid. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the rod is rotatable relative to the lid. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the rod is radially slidably along to the lid. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the rod is movable longitudinally relative to the lid. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the lid is rotatable relative to the vessel. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the distal end of the rod engages the bottom surface of the vessel. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the distal end of the rod is spaced a small distance from the bottom surface of the vessel. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the distal end of the rod is disposed just below the top surface of the drawn blood contained within the vessel. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the rod comprises line markings. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the vessel is transparent. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the rod comprises frosted glass. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the vessel is a syringe for drawing blood, the lid is a plunger movable along the syringe, and the precipitator is a rod along which the plunger moves. 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus for dispensing a fibrin clot at a selected location, the apparatus comprising:
 a skewer for piercing fibrin clot;   a hollow plunger slidably received on the skewer for removing the fibrin clot from the skewer; and   a hollow tube for receiving the hollow plunger therein;   wherein the hollow plunger is longer than the hollow tube and further wherein the skewer is longer than the hollow tube.   
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the skewer comprises one from the group consisting of a simple shaft;
 a guidewire; a probe; and a suture passer. 
 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the skewer comprises a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         21 . A method for forming fibrin clot, the method comprising:
 placing drawn blood in a vessel;   mounting a precipitator to the vessel so that the precipitator extends into the drawn blood contained in the vessel; and   agitating the drawn blood so as to cause fibrin clot to form.