APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR WASHING TISSUE AND/OR CELL

Abstract

An apparatus for washing cells and/or tissue includes an outer sleeve, an inner assembly, and a filter. The outer sleeve includes a closed end and an open end. The inner assembly is axially movable in the outer sleeve. The filter is affixed to the inner assembly, wherein a chamber is formed by the filter, the outer sleeve, and the inner assembly. Furthermore, a process for washing cells and/or tissue comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as described above, wherein the cells and/or tissue and washing liquid are disposed in the chamber, and (b) axially moving the inner assembly to wash the cells and/or tissue.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus and process for washing tissue and/or cells, and more particularly to an apparatus and process for washing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to the progress of medical technology, techniques for repairing living tissue are receiving more attention and research. Currently, cells used for repairing living tissue are mainly derived from cell lines and living tissue in primary culture. For living tissue derived from primary culture, living tissue derived from a patient's body is minced in aseptic surroundings. Then, protease is provided to catalyze the breakdown of intercellular substances in the tissue so that cells migrate from the tissue. Then, the cells are treated and implanted back to the patient's body for repairing wounded tissue.

Generally, the process of repairing living tissue is executed in operating rooms. During the process, the living tissue derived from a patient's body is immediately minced into fragments on the scene. Then, an enzyme is provided to catalyze the breakdown of tissue fragments. However, subsequent processes including removal of the enzyme from the tissue and/or cells, collection of the tissue and/or cells, transfer of the tissue and/or cells to a carrier, and implantation of the tissue and/or cells into the wounded part of the patient require use of an apparatus. Preferably, this apparatus can be also applicable to other fields for washing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells.

Recently, several types of apparatuses for filtering and collecting tissue and/or cells have been developed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,190, U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,687, U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,051, U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,824, etc., which include centrifugal-force type, mesh-filter type, and hybrid type of centrifugal-force/mesh-filter. As described, in the enzymatic treatments, removal of enzyme, and collection of tissue and/or cells are executed in operating rooms. However, operating rooms are not suitable for operation of centrifugal-force type apparatuses. Furthermore, none of the apparatuses can be used to wash the tissue and/or cells for removing enzyme therefrom. Therefore, an apparatus for washing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an apparatus to solve the above described problems.

An apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an outer sleeve, an inner assembly, and a filter. The outer sleeve includes a closed end and an open end. The inner assembly is axially movable in the outer sleeve. The filter is affixed to the inner assembly, wherein a chamber is formed by the filter, the outer sleeve, and the inner assembly, and an opening of the filter is smaller than the tissue and/or cells in diameter.

The apparatus can be modified in various ways. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, for example, the opening of the filter is 1 μm-30 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter. However, a 5 μm-20 μm membrane filter is preferred.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, as another example, the opening of the filter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer sleeve further includes a cap connected to the closed end.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ring assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly is a mesh assembly with the filter fixed therein.

The invention further provides a process for washing tissue and/or cells, comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as described above, wherein the tissue and/or cells and washing liquid are disposed in the chamber, and (b) axially moving the inner assembly to wash the tissue and/or cells.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ring assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, step (a) includes putting the tissue and/or cells and the washing liquid in the outer sleeve, and fitting the inner assembly into the outer sleeve to form the chamber. Then, step (b) comprises moving the inner assembly in a first axial direction

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises replacing the washing liquid in the inner assembly after step (b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, step (b) further comprises moving the inner assembly in a second axial direction to expand the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises a step of shaking the apparatus to wash the tissue and/or cells after step (b).

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises a step of removing the washing liquid from the inner assembly after step (b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises a step of collecting the tissue and/or cells after step (b).

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tissue and/or cells are derived from cartilage tissue, bone tissue, or an organ.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cells are derived from cell granules or tissue after enzymatic treatments.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tissue is derived from tissue fragments after enzymatic treatments.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises filtering and collecting the tissue and/or cells.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the opening of the filter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the opening of the filter is 5 μm-20 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer sleeve further includes a cap connected to the closed end for collecting the washed tissue and/or cells.

The invention can be used to repair articular cartilage and bones. Also, the invention is applicable to other fields for washing, filtering, and collecting cells/tissue.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded diagram of an outer sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the outer sleeve of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective diagram of an inner assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the inner assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the process of washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the operation of the apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

An outer sleeve is closed at an end and opens at the other end. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, the outer sleeve 10 includes a sleeve body 11 and a cap 12. The sleeve body 11 has a first opening 13 and a second opening 14. The cap 12 is detachably connected to the sleeve body 11 for covering the second opening 14 and used for collecting cells and tissue.

An inner assembly may be a tube assembly or a ring assembly. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in this embodiment, the inner assembly 20 is a tube assembly including a tubular body 21, a filter structure 23, a rubber O-ring 24, and a handle 25. An opening 22 and the handle 25 are provided at an end of the tubular body 21, and the filter structure 23 and the O-ring 24 are provided at the other end. The filter structure 23 includes two wire meshes and a membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 sandwiched therebetween. This arrangement avoids breakage or deformation of the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 during the washing process. The O-ring 24 is externally affixed to the tubular body 21 for eliminating the gap between the inner assembly 20 and the outer sleeve 10.

In an example, the cells/tissue to be washed is derived from patient's cartilage, and the membrane filter 30 is a 10 μm TMTP membrane filter (Millipore® Isopore™ membrane filter). In another example, the cartilage tissue rather than free cells are collected by filtering, and the membrane filter 30 is replaced with a 100 μm metal mesh filter. In another example for a collection of umbilical cord tissue, a 150 μm-3000 μm mesh filter can be selected. However, a 400 μm-600 μm mesh filter is preferred.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells, wherein the inner assembly 20 is disposed in the outer sleeve 10, and the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 is affixed to the inner assembly 20. Thus, a chamber is formed by the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30, the outer sleeve 10, and the inner assembly 20. The inner assembly 20 is axially movable in the outer sleeve 10.

The process of washing tissue and/or cells is shown in FIG. 4. In step 60, a washing apparatus is provided wherein tissue and/or cells 40 and washing liquid 50 are disposed in the chamber of the washing apparatus. In step 61, the tissue and/or cells 40 and washing liquid 50 are disposed in the outer sleeve 10. In step 62, the inner assembly 20 is fitted into the outer sleeve 10 to form the chamber of the washing apparatus. In step 70, the inner assembly 20 is axially moved to wash and filter the tissue and/or cells 40. In step 80, the washed tissue and/or cells 40 are collected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein:

To repeat the washing process and use new washing liquid in each washing process, the tissue and/or cells 40 and the washing liquid 50 are disposed in the outer sleeve 10 and the inner assembly 20 is fitted into the outer sleeve 10, thus forming a chamber as shown in FIG. 6. In step 71 of FIG. 5, the inner assembly 20 is moved in a first axial direction D1 to compress the chamber. Thus, the washing liquid 50 filters through the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 and into the inner assembly 20. In step 72 of FIG. 5, the used washing liquid 50 is removed through the opening 22 of the inner assembly 20, and then fresh washing liquid 50 is added in the inner assembly 20. In step 73 of FIG. 5, the inner assembly 20 is moved in a second axial direction D2 to expand the chamber as shown in FIG. 7. Then, step 71 is repeated. In this processes, the washing liquid can be new for each washing process.

To fully mix and wash the tissue and/or cells with the washing liquid, the inner assembly 20 is not immediately removed from the outer sleeve 10 after step 73. Rather, the washing apparatus is shaken (step 74 of FIG. 5) to wash the tissue and/or cells 40. Then, the inner assembly 20 is moved in the first axial direction D1 to compress the chamber (step 71) so that the washing liquid 50 filters into the inner assembly 20. Then, step 73 is repeated.

To collect the washed tissue and/or cells, the used washing liquid 50 is poured out through the opening 22 of the inner assembly 20 (step 75 of FIG. 5). Then, the inner assembly 20 and the outer sleeve 10 are separated. Then, the cap 12 is removed from the outer sleeve 11. Thus, the tissue and/or cells 40 in the cap 12 can be collected.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells, comprising:

an outer sleeve including a closed end and an open end;

an inner assembly axially movable in the outer sleeve; and

a filter affixed to the inner assembly, wherein a chamber is formed by the filter, the outer sleeve, and the inner assembly, and an opening of the filter is smaller than the tissue and/or cells in diameter.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter is a mesh filter or a membrane filter.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening of the filter is 5 μm-20 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening of the filter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve further includes a cap connected to the closed end.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ring assembly.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner assembly is a mesh assembly with the filter fixed therein.

8. A process for washing tissue and/or cells, comprising:

(a) providing an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue and/or cells and washing liquid are disposed in the chamber; and

(b) axially moving the inner assembly to wash the tissue and/or cells.

9. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ring assembly.

10. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (a) includes putting the tissue and/or cells and the washing liquid in the outer sleeve, and fitting the inner assembly into the outer sleeve to form the chamber.

11. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (b) comprises moving the inner assembly in a first axial direction.

12. The process as claimed in claim 11, further comprising replacing the washing liquid in the inner assembly after step (b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

13. The process as claimed in claim 11, wherein step (b) further comprises moving the inner assembly in a second axial direction to expand the chamber.

14. The process as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a step of shaking the apparatus to wash the tissue and/or cells after step (b).

15. The process as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a step of removing the washing liquid from the inner assembly after step (b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

16. The process as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of collecting the tissue and/or cells after step (b).

17. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tissue and/or cells are derived from cartilage tissue, bone tissue, or an organ.

18. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cells are derived from cell granules or tissue after enzymatic treatments.

19. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tissue is derived from tissue fragments after enzymatic treatments.

20. The process as claimed in claim 8, further comprising filtering and collecting the tissue and/or cells.

21. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening of the filter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.

22. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening of the filter is 5 μm-20 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.

23. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer sleeve further includes a cap connected to the closed end for collecting the washed tissue and/or cells.