Device and method for resizing adipose tissue for implantation

Abstract

A deagglomerator for use in resizing masses of cells is disclosed. The deagglomerator may include a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of front and back edges. The masses of cells may be passed through the plurality of apertures from the front to the back, and from the back to the front, repeatedly. The deagglomerator may also include a plurality of blades that may aid in the deagglomeration of the cell masses. The deagglomerator may be configured between two syringes so that the tissue may be passed back and forth from the first syringe through the device to the second syringe, and then back again from the second syringe through the device and to the first syringe. In this way, the masses of cells may be properly deagglomerated.

1 . A device comprising:
 (a) a housing assembly defining an inner volume, the housing assembly comprising a first port, a second port, and defining a fluid flow path there between, wherein the first port and second port are adapted to connect to a first syringe and a second syringe, respectively;   (b) a cutting element disposed within the inner volume and substantially perpendicular to the flow path, wherein the cutting element comprises a plurality of rigid members defining a plurality of apertures, wherein the rigid members comprise a cutting edge on at least one face and wherein the apertures are 0.05 mm-10 mm in length.   
     
     
         2 . A method of deagglomerating tissue prior to implantation of the tissue in a subject comprising:
 (a) connecting a first syringe comprising tissue harvested from the subject to a first port of a housing assembly of a deagglomeration device, wherein the housing assembly defines an inner volume and comprises the first port and a second port and defines a fluid flow path there between;   (b) connecting a second syringe to the second port of the housing assembly of the deagglomeration device;   (c) passing the tissue from the first syringe to the second syringe through the inner volume of the deagglomeration device, wherein the inner volume comprises a cutting element disposed substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow path, wherein the cutting element comprises a plurality of rigid members defining a plurality of apertures, and wherein the rigid members comprise a cutting edge on at least one face; and   (d) collecting the tissue from the second syringe.   
     
     
         3 . A kit comprising two housing members, one or more spacer housings of variable sizes, and a plurality of cutting elements, wherein the housing members are adapted to accept a variable number of cutting elements that may be selected and sequenced by a user.