Abstract: A treatment instrument comprises an end effector and a plunger. The end effector comprises a plurality of cutting features and an interior cavity. At least a portion of the plunger is slidably positioned within the interior cavity of the end effector. The plunger comprises a distal head attached to the distal end of a central shaft. The plunger is configured to rotate within the end effector, and comprises a cutting member that is operable to mince tissue specimens captured by the cutting features of the end effector. An alternative treatment system comprises an end effector, a plunger, and a plug. The central shaft of the plunger and the plug are slidably located within an inner tube of the end effector, with the plug being positioned distal to the central shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for morcellating tissue specimens comprises a housing and a cutting member. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue specimens into morcellated or minced tissue pieces. The cutting member may include one or more screens. One of the screens may be rotatable or capable of reciprocating relative to the housing. One screen may cooperate with another screen to provide shearing of the tissue specimens. The cutting member may include a plurality of discs that are rotatable relative to the housing. The discs may include inwardly directed notches formed in their outer perimeter, with the notches cooperating with an interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The discs may include perimeters having ovular or elliptical shapes that cooperate with a cylindrical interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The apparatus may be a stand-alone apparatus or may be incorporated into a tissue harvesting apparatus.

Abstract: A device is operable to measure the size of tissue particles. The device includes a reservoir for receiving tissue particles and an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic energy toward tissue particles in the reservoir. Control circuitry is operable to process ultrasonic energy received from the ultrasonic transducer to determine the size of tissue particles in the reservoir. If the tissue particles are larger than a predetermined size range, the particles may be minced to reduce their size. If the tissue particles are smaller than a predetermined size range, the particles may be disposed of. It the tissue particles have a size within a predetermined range, they may be processed further, such as by stimulating the tissue particles and dewatering the tissue particles. The tissue particles may then be incorporated in a medical fluid and be therapeutically administered to a patient.

Abstract: A device is operable to measure the size of tissue particles. The device includes a reservoir for receiving tissue particles and an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic energy toward tissue particles in the reservoir. Control circuitry is operable to process ultrasonic energy received from the ultrasonic transducer to determine the size of tissue particles in the reservoir. If the tissue particles are larger than a predetermined size range, the particles may be minced to reduce their size. If the tissue particles are smaller than a predetermined size range, the particles may be disposed of. It the tissue particles have a size within a predetermined range, they may be processed further, such as by stimulating the tissue particles and dewatering the tissue particles. The tissue particles may then be incorporated in a medical fluid and be therapeutically administered to a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for morcellating tissue specimens comprises a housing and a cutting member. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue specimens into morcellated or minced tissue pieces. The cutting member may include one or more screens. One of the screens may be rotatable or capable of reciprocating relative to the housing. One screen may cooperate with another screen to provide shearing of the tissue specimens. The cutting member may include a plurality of discs that are rotatable relative to the housing. The discs may include inwardly directed notches formed in their outer perimeter, with the notches cooperating with an interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The discs may include perimeters having ovular or elliptical shapes that cooperate with a cylindrical interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The apparatus may be a stand-alone apparatus or may be incorporated into a tissue harvesting apparatus.

Abstract: A treatment instrument comprises an end effector and a plunger. The end effector comprises a plurality of cutting features and an interior cavity. At least a portion of the plunger is slidably positioned within the interior cavity of the end effector. The plunger comprises a distal head attached to the distal end of a central shaft. The plunger is configured to rotate within the end effector, and comprises a cutting member that is operable to mince tissue specimens captured by the cutting features of the end effector. An alternative treatment system comprises an end effector, a plunger, and a plug. The central shaft of the plunger and the plug are slidably located within an inner tube of the end effector, with the plug being positioned distal to the central shaft.