Device for the collection, refinement, and administration of gastrointestinal microflora

Abstract

Devices and systems for isolating gastrointestinal microflora from stool collected from a donor are provided. Stool is collected from a donor in a container as the donor is defecating. A solvent is introduced into the container and the container sealed to place its contents in a sealed environment. Various agents can be added to achieve dissolving, colorizing, deodorizing, or for further therapies. The solvent and collected stool is homogenized into a mixture which is then filtered by a multi-stage filter system to create a solution containing microflora in the desired consistency. This solution can be dispensed via an enema tube or other delivery apparatus for infusion into a patient's gastrointestinal tract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for isolating gastrointestinal microflora from stools of a donor, the system comprising:
 a container for collecting stool from the patient as the patient is defecating and holding the collected stool in a closed environment;   means for homogenizing a solvent and the collected stool into a mixture within the closed environment of the container; and   means for filtering the homogenized mixture to extract a filtrate comprising the solvent and gastrointestinal microflora from the mixture, the filtrate having reduced solids.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the closed environment is anaerobic. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a linking mechanism for coupling the stool collection container to a toilet seat. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for determining the weight of the collected stool in the container. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to accommodate a variable volume of stool and solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the container is at least partially made of an expandable material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an at least partially opaque exterior. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container has an opening for receiving the stool, wherein said opening can be sealed airtight. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an introduction port for the introduction of solvent. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the container further comprises a dispensing port for the dispensing of the filtrate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the introduction port and the dispensing port are the same. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a suction port. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a vent mechanism having an activated charcoal filter. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a flexible bag. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for homogenizing the solvent and the collected stool comprises at least one of a roller mechanism, a mashing mechanism, or a paddle blender adapted to apply an external physical force to the flexible bag. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for filtering the homogenized mixture comprises one or more filters within the means for collecting and holding stool. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more filters comprises a filter having a pore size of at least 0.22 μm to at most 4,000 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the means for filtering the homogenized mixture further comprises a filter clearing mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the means for filtering the homogenized mixture comprises a plunger for pressing the homogenized mixture against the one or more filters. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filtrate has solids reduced such that the filtrate comprises no greater than about 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% weight of non-living solids to weight of living solids. 
     
     
         21 . A container for collecting and isolating gastrointestinal microflora from stools of a donor, the container comprising:
 a first compartment for collecting and holding stool;   a second compartment for holding a filtrate;   a filter separating the first and second compartments; and   a mixer in the first compartment for homogenizing an introduced solvent and the collected stool into a mixture.   
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , further comprising a cap for sealing an opening in the first compartment through which stool is collected. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the filter comprises a first filter and a second filter having a smaller pore size than the first filter. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the first filter has a pore size of at most 4,000 μm. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 23 , wherein the second filter has a pore size of at least 0.22 μm. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the mixer is adapted to be coupled to an external actuator for actuating the mixer. 
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 26 , further comprising a clearing mechanism disposed adjacent the filter, the clearing mechanism being adapted to be coupled to the external actuator for actuating the clearing mechanism to clear the filter. 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 21 , further comprising a plunger in the second compartment for advancing and pressing the filter through the first compartment, the plunger comprising a port for filtrate to pass through the filter and into the second compartment. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the second compartment comprises a dispensing port for dispensing the filtrate.