Method and Apparatus for Recovery of Suspended Biological Material

Abstract

An apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a suspension solution, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the suspension solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution.

1 . An apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a suspension solution, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the suspension solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution. 
     
     
         2 . A method for recovery of suspended biological material from a suspension solution, the method including the steps of a temporarily collecting the solution in a solution container, applying extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and filtering the suspension solution through filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution. 
     
     
         3 . A phacoemulsification separation apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a solution formed during phacoemulsification, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the suspension solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the suspension solution container includes an opening and the apparatus further includes shaped connection means in the form of a tapered stopper to removeably engageable with the opening. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the tapered stopper is a frustoconical member with a central bore extending through the stopper from a larger circular face to a smaller circular face manufactured from a resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including at least one fluid conveyance tube in fluid communication with the suspension solution container and the extraction means with in-line filter means. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the filter means is provided in a two-part housing including an upper and lower housing portion with the lower housing portion being downstream of the upper housing portion, each portion of the two-part housing connectable to the other portion to allow separation. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein each portion of the filter housing is manufactured from a transparent material to enable a user to monitor the filtration process. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the filter means includes a filter screen convex to the flow direction. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the filter screen is attached peripherally to the lower portion of the filter housing. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein an upper surface of the filter screen is easily accessible with minimal exposed edges, corners or recesses in which biological material can be caught during removal. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the filter means includes filter openings sized to separate biological material particles large enough to be visible to the naked eye. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the filter means is connected in-line with a first fluid conveyance tube leading from the suspension solution container to an upper portion and a second fluid conveyance tube leading from a lower portion of the filter means for waste irrigation fluid. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein a waste outlet and extraction means are located downstream of the filter means, the extraction means applying extractive force through the use or application of a vacuum. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein an in-line check valve or non-return valve is included between the filter means and the extraction means to enable multiple extractions to remove and expel waste irrigation fluid from one or more suspension solution containers. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein a waste outlet connected downstream of the check valve or nonreturn valve but prior to the extraction means. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including a secondary collection vessel adapted for use as jewellery or a wearable memento, into which the biological material is placed after extraction. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  further including a handling fixture in which the secondary collection vessel is temporarily housed or arranged such that handling or correct orientation of the vessel is not required during the transfer of the material to the secondary collection vessel. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the handling fixture is transparent such that the secondary collection vessel is visible when located in the handling fixture. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the handling fixture includes a lower portion and a pair of interchangeable upper portions, a first upper portion used in conjunction with the lower portion in order to insert biological material and fluid into the secondary collection vessel and a second upper portion used to cap the secondary collection vessel once the first upper portion has been removed from the lower portion. 
     
     
         21 . A method for creation of a keepsake or memento from biological material recovered following removal during a medical procedure, the method including the steps of collecting the biological material in a suspension solution, temporarily collecting the suspension solution in a suspension solution container, applying extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and filtering the suspension solution through filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material as a filtrate from the suspension solution, removing the filtrate from the filter means into a container, filling of the container with a measured amount of stabilizer fluid, and capping the container to seal the container. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein substantially all of the contents of the suspension solution container are removed and the separation of the biological material from the remainder of the solution is undertaken coincident with the removal from the suspension solution container. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein gentle agitation of the suspension solution container is agitated during the removal process to produce a relatively homogenous mixture of the biological material and irrigation fluid. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein once the suspension solution container has been emptied, and the biological material accumulated by the filter means, the filter means can then be manipulated to expose the collected biological material on the screen for removal to a secondary collection vessel.