Triple syringe and methods of making platelet-enriched plasma and use thereof

Abstract

A triple syringe system that allows for either a larger volume of ACP, or a larger combined output of PRP (platelet rich plasma) and PPP (platelet poor plasma). The different outputs are based upon different centrifuge spin regimes. The system of the present invention produces up to 15 mL of ACP, or 3 mL of PRP plus 25 mL of PPP. The system of the present invention solves the problem of a larger volume of ACP and with a higher cellular concentration. The multi-syringe system allows for the connection of two or more additional syringes. The fractions may be extracted with the multi-syringe system of the present invention at different sequential times, or at the same time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of obtaining platelet enriched plasma, comprising:
 providing a multi-syringe assembly comprising a first syringe having a first body with a first diameter; a second syringe having a second body with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a third syringe having a third body with a third diameter smaller than the first diameter;   introducing blood or bone marrow aspirate into the first syringe;   subjecting the first syringe to centrifugation to obtain platelet enriched plasma containing a plurality of plasma fractions;   transferring a first fraction of the plurality of plasma fractions from the first syringe to the second syringe; and   transferring a second fraction of the plurality of plasma fractions from the first syringe to the third syringe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plasma fraction is ACP, PRP or PPP. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second plasma fraction is ACP, PRP or PPP. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting the second syringe to the first syringe so that the first syringe is in direct fluid communication with the second syringe, and the second syringe is located partially within the first syringe, and transferring the first fraction of the plurality of plasma fractions from the first syringe to the second syringe. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of removing the second syringe and then connecting the third syringe to the first syringe, so that the first syringe is in direct fluid communication with the third syringe, and the third syringe is located partially within the first syringe, and transferring the second fraction of the plurality of plasma fractions from the first syringe to the third syringe. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second syringe is nested within the first syringe, and the third syringe is nested within the second syringe, and wherein the second and third syringe are in fluid communication with the first syringe. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising treating at least a portion of a damaged tissue with the plasma fractions to facilitate healing of the tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the treating of the damaged tissue further comprises removing the second syringe from the syringe assembly and injecting, with the second syringe, the first plasma fraction into the damaged tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the treating of the damaged tissue further comprises removing the third syringe from the syringe assembly and injecting, with the third syringe, the second plasma fraction into the damaged tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the damaged tissue is a joint. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the damaged tissue is a nerve root or a vertebral joint. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the damaged tissue is a damaged tendon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first body has a volume of about 60 cc. 
     
     
         14 . A method of surgical treatment of connective tissue injury, comprising:
 providing a multi-syringe system comprising a first syringe having a first body with a first diameter and a volume of about 60 cc; a second syringe having a second body with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a third syringe having a third body with a third diameter smaller than the first diameter;   introducing about 60 mL of autologous blood or bone marrow aspirate into the first syringe so that the autologous blood or bone marrow aspirate is temporarily stored within the first syringe;   introducing the first syringe into a centrifuge and centrifuging the first syringe to obtain a PPP fraction and a PRP fraction in the first syringe;   transferring the PPP fraction from the first syringe to the second syringe;   disconnecting the second syringe with the PPP fraction from the first syringe;   subsequently, transferring the PRP fraction from the first syringe to the third syringe;   disconnecting the third syringe with the PRP fraction from the first syringe; and   delivering at least one of the PPP fraction and the PRP fraction to the connective tissue.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the PPP fraction has a harvest volume of about 25 mL. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the PRP fraction has a harvest volume of about 3 mL.