Device for harvesting, processing and transferring adipose tissue

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices and methods for harvesting and processing tissue from patients for grafting. The devices can include a tissue collection chamber for ascetically collecting, processing, and/or re-implanting adipose tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for preparing tissue comprising:
 selecting a device comprising:
 a container; 
 a filter having a peripheral rim portion, wherein the filter is positioned within the container such that the peripheral rim portion engages at least one inner surface of the container to define a first tissue collection chamber and a second filtrate collection chamber; and 
 a flexible membrane, wherein the edges of the flexible membrane are connected to at least one of an inner surface of the container within the peripheral rim and the peripheral rim of the filter to form a fluid-tight seal between at least a part of the at least one inner surface of the device and the first tissue collection chamber; 
   transferring tissue to the first tissue collection chamber;   processing the tissue within the first tissue collection chamber; and   causing the flexible membrane to expand within the first tissue collection chamber to apply pressure to the tissue within the first tissue collection chamber to transfer the tissue out of the first tissue collection chamber through the at least one port in fluid communication with the first tissue collection chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transferring tissue to the first tissue collection chamber includes applying a suction pressure to at least one port in fluid communication with the device to draw tissue into the first tissue collection chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the suction pressure to at least one port to draw tissue into the first tissue collection chamber includes applying negative pressure to a port having an opening within the second filtrate collection chamber to produce a pressure differential between the first tissue collection chamber and the at least one port having an opening within the first tissue collection chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein processing the tissue includes at least one of washing the tissue, concentrating the tissue, and removing a portion of water contained in the tissue from the tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein processing the tissue includes washing the tissue by contacting the tissue with a washing fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the washing fluid is selected from the group consisting of ringer's lactate, detergent, collagenase, stem cells, and pH buffers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is expanded by applying pressure to a space formed between the flexible membrane and the at least one inner surface of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is expanded by creating a pressure differential between an interior of the first tissue collection chamber and a space formed between the flexible membrane and the at least one inner surface of the main container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure differential is created by applying negative pressure to the interior of the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the negative pressure source is a vacuum. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing water from the tissue prior to transferring the tissue out of the first tissue collection chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water is collected in the second filtrate collection chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water is removed by applying suction to the tissue in the first tissue collection chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water is removed by expanding the flexible membrane while the at least one port in fluid communication with the first tissue collection chamber is closed, thereby applying pressure to the tissue with the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue comprises an adipose tissue. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ports is bidirectional. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is conical. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filter can hold a volume ranging from about 50 cubic centimeters to about 2000 cubic centimeters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises an elastomeric material.