Abstract: A fat sizing device includes a first filter element and a second filter element. The first filter element has an exterior formed from a ceramic such as titanium nitride. The second filter element is positioned in series with the first filter element and has an exterior formed from an organic polymer such as a parylene. The first filter element has a first mesh size and the second filter element has a second mesh size different than the first mesh size and may be less than the first mesh size.

Abstract: A fat sizing device includes a first filter element and a second filter element. The first filter element has an exterior formed from a ceramic such as titanium nitride. The second filter element is positioned in series with the first filter element and has an exterior formed from an organic polymer such as a parylene. The first filter element has a first mesh size and the second filter element has a second mesh size different than the first mesh size and may be less than the first mesh size.

Abstract: A syringe system for harvesting, mixing and emulsifying lipoaspirate and for further harvesting stromal vascular faction of adipose tissue. Stromal vascular faction contains mesenchymal stem cells, which have medically therapeutic uses. A mixing and/or emulsifying apparatus can be reciprocated in a syringe and combined with the stopper of the syringe, so that the syringe can be multi-purpose for harvesting, mixing, emulsifying, centrifuging, and transferring. This system minimizes transfers between syringes, allowing the system to remain closed and sterile.

Abstract: A plunger locking assembly is provided for a syringe which has a barrel and a plunger. The barrel has a closed end with a cannula connector, an open end bounded by a peripheral lip and a barrel longitudinal axis extending between the closed end and the open end. The plunger has a plunger inner end, a plunger outer end and a plunger longitudinal axis extending between the plunger inner end and the plunger outer end. The plunger is slidably displacable within the barrel to different longitudinal lock positions and the barrel and plunger longitudinal axes are coextensive with one another. The plunger locking assembly includes a main body and a plunger locking mechanism. The main body has an inner end, an outer end and a main body longitudinal axis and is adapted to engage the plunger. The plunger locking mechanism is positioned on the main body and is adapted to lock the plunger at a fixed longitudinal lock position within the barrel to prevent further slidable displacement of the plunger into the barrel.

Abstract: A fat conditioning apparatus includes a conditioning vessel enclosing a conditioning chamber and a displacable plug. The conditioning chamber is bounded on one end by the displacable plug and has a variable volume that is a function of the position of the plug within the conditioning vessel. The apparatus has utility in a fat conditioning method, wherein the conditioning chamber contains a harvested fat emulsion. A washing liquid is injected into the conditioning chamber and mixes with the harvested fat emulsion, thereby displacing the plug in an outward expansion direction and expanding the variable volume of the conditioning chamber. The resulting mixture of harvested fat emulsion and washing liquid is stratified in the conditioning chamber into a contaminant-lean fat fraction and a contaminant-rich remainder fraction. The fat fraction, which is substantially free of the remainder fraction, is recovered from the conditioning chamber as a desired product of the method.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus operable to be reciprocated in vessel such as a syringe, and operable to combine with the stopper of the syringe so that transfers are minimized and the system remains closed and sterile. In particular, an emulsifying apparatus is described that efficiently breaks down fat cells with a few strokes of the shaft. The mixing and emulsifying apparatuses have applications in many applications in which mixing, emulsifying and transfer are desired.

Abstract: A syringe sealing assembly includes a stopper coupling and a plunger coupling. The stopper coupling is adaptable to attach to a syringe stopper. The plunger coupling is releasably attachable to the stopper coupling. The stopper coupling is further adaptable to fit within a syringe barrel and to seal the interior of the syringe barrel from the external environment in cooperation with the syringe stopper. The plunger coupling is adaptable to attach to a syringe plunger. The plunger coupling is further adaptable to be received within a syringe barrel when the plunger coupling is attached to the stopper coupling. The plunger coupling is further adaptable to be withdrawn from the syringe barrel while the stopper coupling remains in the syringe barrel when the plunger coupling is detached from the stopper coupling.

Abstract: A syringe sealing assembly includes a stopper coupling and a plunger coupling. The stopper coupling is adaptable to attach to a syringe stopper. The plunger coupling is releasably attachable to the stopper coupling. The stopper coupling is further adaptable to fit within a syringe barrel and to seal the interior of the syringe barrel from the external environment in cooperation with the syringe stopper. The plunger coupling is adaptable to attach to a syringe plunger. The plunger coupling is further adaptable to be received within a syringe barrel when the plunger coupling is attached to the stopper coupling. The plunger coupling is further adaptable to be withdrawn from the syringe barrel while the stopper coupling remains in the syringe barrel when the plunger coupling is detached from the stopper coupling.