Perfusion Device and Method

Abstract

A perfusion device and method is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a container having a first internal chamber configured to hold the material; a port for introducing the liquid into the chamber; a vent for releasing gas and liquid from the chamber; and a means for sealing the vent to allow a vacuum to be drawn on the first chamber The material may be biomaterial, such as a bone graft material in any form. In one embodiment, the container is a syringe that defines the internal material chamber and includes an end cap and a plunger. The vent may be formed by a venting passageway in plunger and/or cap in some embodiments. In one embodiment, the vacuum may be created by a medical syringe coupled to the container, and which in some embodiments may also be used to deliver the liquid into the container. The liquid may be bone marrow aspirate in some embodiments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perfusion system, comprising:
 a container including an internal chamber configured to hold a material, the container including:
 a port configured to introduce a liquid from outside of the container into the container to contact the material; 
 a chamber vent in fluid communication with the internal chamber, the vent including at least one flow control device configured to repeatedly alternate selectively between an open position and a closed position and to allow the passage of gas in one direction from the internal chamber and further configured to inhibit the passage of gas in an opposite direction into the internal chamber; and 
   a vacuum apparatus removably connected to the container and operable to draw a vacuum on the internal chamber of the container, the vacuum apparatus further comprising at least one vent configured to release gas from the internal chamber, the vacuum apparatus forming a part of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum apparatus is a plunger of a syringe removably coupled to the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a second overflow chamber in fluid communication with the internal chamber for receiving gas and liquid from the internal chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A device for perfusing a material with a liquid, comprising:
 a flexible container defining an internal chamber configured to hold a material, the container including a port disposed at a distal end of the flexible container, the port configured to introduce a liquid from outside the flexible container into the flexible container to contact the material in the internal chamber when the material is disposed in the internal chamber;   a plunger movable within the at least one internal chamber, the plunger defining:
 at least two internal venting passageways proximate a distal end of the plunger, the at least two internal venting passageways configured to release gas from the internal chamber; 
 a transverse vent plug opening in fluid communication with the at least two internal venting passageways; and 
   a flow control device configured to seal the at least two internal venting passageways to inhibit the liquid from being released from the internal chamber and to prevent the passage of gas across the seal when the liquid and material are in the at least one internal chamber   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible container a second internal chamber defining an overflow chamber, in fluid communication with the internal chamber via a one-way flow control device, configured to 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the one-way flow control device is a check valve. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the flexible container is a plastic bag. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the flexible container is constructed with one or more layers of the same or different materials. 
     
     
         9 . A method of perfusing a material with liquid, the method comprising:
 providing a perfusion device including a container defining an internal chamber, a plunger movable within the internal chamber, and a material disposed in the container;   delivering a liquid from outside of the perfusion device into the internal chamber through a port at one end of the container, the port configured to be selectively opened and closed;   venting gas through at least one of at least two venting passageways proximate a distal end of the plunger, connected by and in fluid communication with a transverse vent opening, the at least two venting passageways configured to release gas from the internal chamber of the container while delivering the liquid to the container;   contacting the material with the liquid;   discontinuing delivery of the liquid into the container; and   drawing a vacuum on the container by applying negative pressure to the plunger to perfuse the material with the liquid, wherein the transverse vent opening includes a flow control device configured to seal the at least two venting passageways to inhibit the liquid from being released from the internal chamber and to prevent the passage of gas across the seal when the liquid and material are in the internal chamber.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of sealing the container before drawing a vacuum on the container. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of sealing at least one of the at least two venting passageways concurrent with the vacuum drawing step. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the container is a perfusion syringe, and the plunger comprises a sealing plate to seal one end of the syringe. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plunger sealing plate is not moved during the vacuum drawing step to allow the vacuum to be drawn at a constant container volume. 
     
     
         14 . A method of perfusing a material with liquid, the method comprising:
 providing a perfusion device including a container defining an internal chamber and a material disposed in the container;   delivering a liquid from outside of the perfusion device into the container through a port at one end of the container, the port configured to be selectively opened and closed;   venting gas through a chamber vent configured to release gas from the internal chamber of the container while delivering the liquid to the container;   contacting the material with the liquid;   discontinuing delivery of the liquid into the container; and   drawing a vacuum on the container to perfuse the material with the liquid, wherein the chamber vent includes a flow control device configured to seal the chamber vent to inhibit the liquid from being released from the internal chamber and to prevent the passage of gas across the seal when the liquid and material are in the internal chamber.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the delivering step includes coupling a medical syringe holding the liquid to the container and injecting the liquid into the container from the medical syringe. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the same medical syringe is used to draw the vacuum on the container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of sealing the container before drawing a vacuum on the container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the container is a perfusion syringe. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the perfusion syringe includes a plunger having a sealing plate to seal one end of the syringe. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plunger sealing plate is not moved during the vacuum drawing step to allow the vacuum to be drawn at a constant container volume.