Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing piston, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing piston has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing piston has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing piston has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing piston, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing piston includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing piston. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing piston is movable in the processing vessel recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing cover, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing cover includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing cover. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing cover is movable in the processing cover recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing cover, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing cover has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing cover has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing cover has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue.

Abstract: A bone fragment and osteomedullary tissue harvesting system that includes a harvesting device, a collection vessel and tubing. The harvesting device includes a needle portion and a handle portion. The needle portion that has a needle bore that extends through at least part of the needle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the needle portion. The handle portion includes a connection port and a vacuum control mechanism that are in communication with a handle bore that extends through the handle portion. The needle bore is in communication with the handle bore. The vacuum control mechanism includes a vacuum aperture that extends through a surface of the handle portion and is in communication with the handle bore. The collection vessel is capable of receiving aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The tubing operably connects the connection port and the collection vessel.

Abstract: A bone void filler preparation system that includes a processing vessel, a processing cover, a bone void filler preparation container and tubing. The processing vessel has a recess formed therein. The processing vessel is adapted to receive bone marrow aspirate. The processing cover includes an outer wall, a central wall member and a connection port. The outer wall has an upper edge and a lower edge. The central wall member extends inwardly from the outer wall intermediate the upper and lower edges of the processing cover. The central wall member has an aperture formed therein. The central wall member has a downwardly directed portion that defines an air-retaining region. The air-retaining region is closer to the outer wall upper edge than the aperture. The connection port is operably connected to the aperture. The processing cover is movable in the processing cover recess. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet portion and an outlet port.

Abstract: A method of recovering progenitor cells from bone marrow aspirate. A bone void filler preparation container is provided. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet port and an outlet port. A bone graft matrix having a particle size of between about 1,000 ?m and about 2,000 ?m is placed in the bone void filler preparation container. A bone marrow aspirate is passed through the bone void filler preparation container. Progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container. Greater than about 83 percent of the progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container.

Abstract: A bone fragment and osteomedullary tissue harvesting system that includes a harvesting device, a collection vessel and tubing. The harvesting device includes a needle portion and a handle portion. The needle portion that has a needle bore that extends through at least part of the needle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the needle portion. The handle portion includes a connection port and a vacuum control mechanism that are in communication with a handle bore that extends through the handle portion. The needle bore is in communication with the handle bore. The vacuum control mechanism includes a vacuum aperture that extends through a surface of the handle portion and is in communication with the handle bore. The collection vessel is capable of receiving aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The tubing operably connects the connection port and the collection vessel.

Abstract: A method of recovering progenitor cells from bone marrow aspirate. A bone void filler preparation container is provided. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet port and an outlet port. A bone graft matrix having a particle size of between about 1,000 ?m and about 2,000 ?m is placed in the bone void filler preparation container. A bone marrow aspirate is passed through the bone void filler preparation container. Progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container. A selectivity ratio of the progenitor cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container to a total number of nucleated cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container is greater than about 3.

Abstract: A bone fragment and osteomedullary tissue harvesting system that includes a harvesting device, a collection vessel and tubing. The harvesting device includes a needle portion and a handle portion. The needle portion that has a needle bore that extends through at least part of the needle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the needle portion. The handle portion includes a connection port and a vacuum control mechanism that are in communication with a handle bore that extends through the handle portion. The needle bore is in communication with the handle bore. The vacuum control mechanism includes a vacuum aperture that extends through a surface of the handle portion and is in communication with the handle bore. The collection vessel is capable of receiving aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The tubing operably connects the connection port and the collection vessel.

Abstract: A method of recovering progenitor cells from bone marrow aspirate. A bone void filler preparation container is provided. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet port and an outlet port. A bone graft matrix having a particle size of between about 1,000 ?m and about 2,000 ?m is placed in the bone void filler preparation container. A bone marrow aspirate is passed through the bone void filler preparation container. Progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container. A selection ratio of the progenitor cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container to a total number of nucleated cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container is greater than about 3.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing cover, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing cover has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing cover has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing cover has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue therein. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap and a filter container. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel includes a first port and a second port. The filter container is mounted with respect to the first port.

Abstract: A method of recovering progenitor cells from bone marrow aspirate. A bone void filler preparation container is provided. The bone void filler preparation container has an inlet port and an outlet port. A bone graft matrix having a particle size of between about 1,000 ?m and about 2,000 ?m is placed in the bone void filler preparation container. A bone marrow aspirate is passed through the bone void filler preparation container. Progenitor cells in the bone marrow aspirate are retained in the bone void filler preparation container. A selectivity ratio of the progenitor cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container to a total number of nucleated cells retained in the bone void filler preparation container is greater than about 3.

Abstract: A bone fragment and osteomedullary tissue harvesting system that includes a harvesting device, a collection vessel and tubing. The harvesting device includes a needle portion and a handle portion. The needle portion that has a needle bore that extends through at least part of the needle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the needle portion. The handle portion includes a connection port and a vacuum control mechanism that are in communication with a handle bore that extends through the handle portion. The needle bore is in communication with the handle bore. The vacuum control mechanism includes a vacuum aperture that extends through a surface of the handle portion and is in communication with the handle bore. The collection vessel is capable of receiving aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The tubing operably connects the connection port and the collection vessel.

Abstract: A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue therein. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap and a filter container. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel includes a first port and a second port. The filter container is mounted with respect to the first port.

Abstract: Methods for enriching, detecting, or using adult stem cells through the use of recognition ligands that specifically bind to ECM components retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells are described. An ECM component such as hyaluronan that is retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells when removed from animal tissues can be used to detect a diverse population of adult stem cells based on the nature of the ECM niche region in which the adult stem cells normally reside. For example, a separation method such as magnetic separation can be used to detect and isolate or enrich adult stem cells based on a recognition ligand that is specific for an ECM component that is retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells to a greater degree than to other cells in the population.

Abstract: Methods for enriching, detecting, or using adult stem cells through the use of recognition ligands that specifically bind to ECM components retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells are described. An ECM component such as hyaluronan that is retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells when removed from animal tissues can be used to detect a diverse population of adult stem cells based on the nature of the ECM niche region in which the adult stem cells normally reside. For example, a separation method such as magnetic separation can be used to detect and isolate or enrich adult stem cells based on a recognition ligand that is specific for an ECM component that is retained to the surfaces of adult stem cells to a greater degree than to other cells in the population.

Abstract: A minimally invasive apparatus and method for harvesting bone marrow cells, blood, and bone fragments includes a rigid cannula having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening. The distal end includes a cutting tip that is movable axially and radially to cut and disrupt bone tissue while preserving necessary viability among harvested marrow cells. The cannula further includes an inner surface defining an internal passage that extends from the opening toward the proximal end. Suction is applied to the passage to draw disrupted bone marrow cells, blood, and bone fragments into the internal passage for collection. The apparatus may include a rotatable shaft disposed co-axially within the internal passage. The shaft has a distal end with a cutting bit for further cutting and disrupting of bone tissue, and a lumen for supplying bone cement to the cutting bit to promote bone growth and healing within the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing image analysis. A computer-implemented method for analyzing images may include quantitatively analyzing image data to identify image objects relative to a background portion of the image according to predefined object criteria, the image data including a plurality of image objects that represent objects in a sample distributed across a substrate. The identified image objects are further clustered into groups or colonies of the identified image objects according to predetermined clustering criteria.