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.

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.