Apparatus and Method for Collecting and Isolating Cells
A cell collection apparatus for collecting and isolating a sample having a sample collection section with a reservoir barrel, a fitting slidably movable within the reservoir barrel, and a proximal attachment, the proximal attachment located on the distal side of the fitting; a detachable section having a plunger, the plunger detachably connected to the proximal attachment by a distal attachment; and whereby after detachment of the detachable section, the sample collection section is centrifuged to separate the sample into its components.
The present United States Utility Patent Application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/726,981, filed Oct. 6, 2017, and titled “An Apparatus & Method for Isolating Cells.”
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe technical field of this disclosure relates to the collection and isolation of cells collected from a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCollection and isolation of a person's own cells and the reintroduction of the isolated cells can have beneficial therapeutic results. For example, platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), stem cells and fat can be collected from a patient, isolated and then returned to the patient's own body to provide beneficial therapeutic results.
In order to obtain samples of stem cells or PRP, a sample of whole blood is collected from the patient. Similarly, to obtain fat for use in the patient, a fat grafting procedure transfers fat from areas where the patient has excess fat, such as the outer thigh, abdomen, or buttocks and injects it into areas that may be lacking volume, i.e. volume deficient areas.
Typical difficulties with these types of processes include cell necrosis. Thus, it is important to have processes that both collect and isolate the desired cells and also mitigates that risk that the cells that have been isolated die or are damaged, i.e. cell necrosis.
As disclosed and taught in the following materials, a variety of methods and apparatus/systems may be used in the isolation of stem cells, platelets and fat cells.
BACKGROUNDOther methods of isolating the patient's cells may also provide therapeutic benefit.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,972, “Method of Producing Platelet Rich Plasma and/or Platelet Concentration,” issued to Blasetti et al., on Jun. 4, 2002, discloses platelet rich plasma and/or platelet concentrate prepared by placing whole blood in a first chamber of a sterile processing disposable having two chambers. The processing disposable is subjected to a first centrifugation to separate red blood cells, and the resulting platelet rich plasma super-natant is decanted to the second chamber. The processing disposable is subjected to a second centrifugation to concentrate platelets. A volume of platelet poor plasma supernatant in the second chamber is removed, and the platelets are re-suspended in the remaining plasma. The second chamber may contain anticoagulant to preclude aggregation of the platelets.
As another example, International Application published under the Patent Cooperation Treaty under International Publication No. WO2005105121A1 on Nov. 10, 2005, by Meury et al., discloses the use of the content of platelets or platelet rich plasma (PRP) obtained by disruption of their membranes for the preparation of an agent for the treatment of bone, cartilage or skin.
Another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0280959, published on Dec. 6, 2007, by Meury et al., discloses a new use for the contents of platelets or platelet rich plasma (PRP) obtained by disruption of their membranes for the preparation of an agent for the treatment of bone, cartilage or skin.
Another example, European Patent Office Publication EP2628484A1, published on Aug. 21, 2013, by Agut Sanchez, et al., discloses a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration comprising platelet-rich plasma and uses thereof. The invention also relates to orally administered cosmetic compositions and nutritional compositions comprising platelet-rich plasma.
Yet another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0044179A1, by Masanori Saeki, discloses a cell preparation useful for treatment of diseases in bone joints and repairing muscles which have been degenerated or damaged. And, also discloses a cell preparation for treatment of diseases in bone joints which comprises a fat cell, and a cell preparation for repairing muscles which comprises a fat cell and a mesodermal stem cell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA cell collection apparatus for collecting and isolating a sample having a sample collection section with a reservoir barrel, a fitting slidably movable within the reservoir barrel, and a proximal attachment, the proximal attachment located on the distal side of the fitting; a detachable section having a plunger, the plunger detachably connected to the proximal attachment by a distal attachment; and whereby after detachment of the detachable section, the sample collection section is centrifuged to separate the sample into its components.
These and other embodiments will be more fully appreciated from the description below.
Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.
Preferably, centrifuge R rotates sample collection section 20 about a fixed axis. As section 20 spins, centrifugal acceleration causes denser substances to move outward in a radial direction. As such, when section 20 is centrifuged, the denser particles of sample S settle to the bottom of the section 20, while the lower density components of sample S rise to the top of sample S.
Of course, any sample having components that have different densities could be centrifuged in order to separate sample S into its components. A generic example of this process is illustrated in
As an example, as illustrated in
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, the same is to be considered as an illustration and is not limited to the exact embodiments shown and described. All equivalents, changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are also protected by the claims that are set forth below.
Claims
1. A cell collection apparatus for collecting and isolating a sample, comprising:
- a sample collection section, comprising: a reservoir barrel a fitting slidably movable within the reservoir barrel; a proximal attachment, the proximal attachment located on the distal side of the fitting;
- a detachable section comprising: a plunger, the plunger detachably connected to the proximal attachment by a distal attachment;
- whereby after detachment of the detachable section, the sample collection section is centrifuged to separate the sample into its components.
2. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a clip, the clip positioned at the proximal end of the plunger and selectively positioned to temporarily hold the plunger and fitting to overcome the negative pressure that occurs when the sample is drawn into the reservoir barrel.
3. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are threaded, thereby detachably and threadedly connecting the fitting and the plunger.
4. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are a pressure fitting.
5. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal attachment and the distal attachment are a magnetically attachment.
6. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a nipple suitable to attach a cannula for collecting the sample from the patient.
7. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a nipple suitable to attach a needle for collecting a sample using venipuncture.
8. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a centrifuge, whereby the centrifuge can separate the sample into its components by centrifuging the sample collection section.
9. The cell collection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sample container, the sample container storing one component of the sample.
10. A sample collection section retainer, comprising:
- a cup; and,
- a stabilizer, the cup and the stabilizer supporting the sample collection section and reducing relative movement of the sample collection section during centrifuging.
11. The sample collection section retainer of claim 10, further comprising: a centrifuge for centrifuging the sample contained by the sample collection section.
12. A method of separating a sample into its separate components, comprising:
- collecting a sample in a sample collection section of a cell collection apparatus, the cell collection apparatus having the sample collection section and a detachable section;
- detaching the detachable section from the sample collection section;
- placing the sample collection section into a centrifuge such that the proximal end of the sample collection section is above the distal end of the sample collection section; and,
- centrifuging the sample until the sample separates into its components.
13. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: storing each component of the sample in a separate container.
14. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: threadedly detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section.
15. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a pressure fitting.
16. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: magnetically detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section.
17. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a male-female connector.
18. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a reverse male-female connector.
19. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: detachably connecting the sample collection section and the detachable section with a snap fitting.
20. The method of separating a sample into its components using a cell collection apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: separately storing each of the components of the sample in a plurality of containers.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 20, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2020
Inventor: Stephen S. Ho (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 16/853,253