Apparatus and Method for Collecting and Isolating Cells

Abstract

A cell collection apparatus for collecting and isolating a sample having a sample collection section with a reservoir barrel, a fitting slidably movable within the reservoir barrel, and a proximal attachment, the proximal attachment located on the distal side of the fitting; a detachable section having a plunger, the plunger detachably connected to the proximal attachment by a distal attachment; and whereby after detachment of the detachable section, the sample collection section is centrifuged to separate the sample into its components.

What I claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cell collection apparatus for collecting and isolating a sample, comprising:
 a sample collection section, comprising:
 a reservoir barrel 
 a fitting slidably movable within the reservoir barrel; 
 a proximal attachment, the proximal attachment located on the distal side of the fitting; 
   a detachable section comprising:
 a plunger, the plunger detachably connected to the proximal attachment by a distal attachment; 
   whereby after detachment of the detachable section, the sample collection section is centrifuged to separate the sample into its components.   
     
     
         2 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clip, the clip positioned at the proximal end of the plunger and selectively positioned to temporarily hold the plunger and fitting to overcome the negative pressure that occurs when the sample is drawn into the reservoir barrel.   
     
     
         3 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are threaded, thereby detachably and threadedly connecting the fitting and the plunger. 
     
     
         4 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are a pressure fitting. 
     
     
         5 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are a magnetically attachment. 
     
     
         6 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a nipple suitable to attach a cannula for collecting the sample from the patient.   
     
     
         7 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a nipple suitable to attach a needle for collecting a sample using venipuncture.   
     
     
         8 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a centrifuge, whereby the centrifuge can separate the sample into its components by centrifuging the sample collection section. 
     
     
         9 . The cell collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a sample container, the sample container storing one component of the sample. 
     
     
         10 . A sample collection section retainer, comprising:
 a cup; and,   a stabilizer, the cup and the stabilizer supporting the sample collection section and reducing relative movement of the sample collection section during centrifuging.   
     
     
         11 . The sample collection section retainer of  claim 10 , further comprising: a centrifuge for centrifuging the sample contained by the sample collection section. 
     
     
         12 . A method of separating a sample into its separate components, comprising:
 collecting a sample in a sample collection section of a cell collection apparatus, the cell collection apparatus having the sample collection section and a detachable section;   detaching the detachable section from the sample collection section;   placing the sample collection section into a centrifuge such that the proximal end of the sample collection section is above the distal end of the sample collection section; and,   centrifuging the sample until the sample separates into its components.   
     
     
         13 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: storing each component of the sample in a separate container. 
     
     
         14 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: threadedly detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a pressure fitting. 
     
     
         16 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: magnetically detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a male-female connector. 
     
     
         18 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a reverse male-female connector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a snap fitting. 
     
     
         20 . The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: separately storing each of the components of the sample in a plurality of containers.