Method for Harvesting and Transplanting Cells

Abstract

The dual syringe with percutaneous cannula is a medical device for harvesting and transferring cells for autologous transplantation without the requirement of a surgical setting or ambulatory care. The dual syringe is a closed sterile system that allows for the harvesting syringe to harvest the cells/tissue from a first location of a patient which is then centrifuged to aggregate the cells. The aggregated cell pellet is transferred to a transfer syringe. The cell pellet is then reinjected by the transfer syringe into the patient at a second location for therapeutic purpose. The percutaneous cannula permits insertion of a cannula, with the assistance of a needle, without the need of a surgical incision or trocar.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for harvesting and transplanting cells comprising:
 attaching a percutaneous cannula assembly to a dual syringe assembly;
 said dual syringe assembly comprises a harvesting syringe with a plunger and transferring syringe with a plunger fluidly connected in a sterile closed system; 
 said percutaneous cannula assembly comprises:
 a needle hub comprising a syringe attachment member, cannula attachment member, and a hollow needle extending from said cannula attachment member; and 
 a cannula having an opening on one end and an attachment member on the opposing end wherein said attachment member of said cannula is connected to said cannula attachment member of said needle hub; and said needle of said needle hub is positioned within said cannula and extends through said opening of said cannula; 
 
   attaching said syringe attachment member of said needle hub to said harvesting syringe;   inserting said percutaneous cannula into a patient at a first location;   aspirating cells into said harvesting syringe by pulling on said plunger of said harvesting syringe until desired amount of cells are aspirated;   centrifuging said dual syringe to aggregate a cell pellet;   transferring said cell pellet into said transfer syringe in closed system by pulling on said plunger of said transfer syringe until desired amount of said pellet is transferred;   detaching said transfer syringe from said harvesting syringe; and   attaching a needle to said transfer syringe; and   injecting said cell pellet at a second location.   
     
     
         2 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 1  wherein said first location is adipose tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 1  wherein said dual syringe assembly further comprises:
 a harvesting syringe having a sidewall and bottom wall that define a cavity having an open end opposite said bottom wall; 
 a first port and a second port in said bottom wall each of said ports creating a fluid pathway with said cavity; 
 wherein said plunger of said harvesting syringe is inserted into said cavity of said harvesting syringe through said open end; 
 said transfer syringe having a sidewall and bottom wall that define a cavity having an open end opposite said bottom wall; 
 a port in said bottom wall of said transfer syringe creating a fluid pathway with said cavity of said transfer syringe; and 
 wherein said plunger of said transfer syringe is inserted into said cavity of said transfer syringe through said open end; 
 wherein said second port of said harvesting syringe is in fluid communication with said port of said transfer syringe. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 1  or  3  further comprising the steps of:
 disconnecting said needle hub from said cannula while said cannula remains in said patient; 
 removing said needle hub from said dual syringe; and 
 attaching said dual syringe to said cannula. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 4  further comprising the steps of:
 removing said dual syringe with cannula from patient; 
 removing said cannula from said dual syringe; and 
 removing said shaft from said plunger of said harvesting syringe. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method for harvesting and transplanting cells comprising:
 attaching a percutaneous cannula to a dual syringe assembly;
 said dual syringe assembly comprises a harvesting syringe with a plunger and transferring syringe with a plunger fluidly connected in a sterile closed system; 
 said percutaneous cannula comprises:
 a cannula having an opening on one end and an attachment member on the opposing end wherein said attachment member of said cannula is connected to said harvesting syringe; 
 
   inserting said percutaneous cannula at a first location;   aspirating cells into harvesting syringe by pulling on said plunger of said harvesting syringe until desired amount of cells are aspirated;   centrifuging said dual syringe to aggregate a cell pellet;   transferring said cell pellet into said transfer syringe in closed system by pulling on said plunger of said transfer syringe until desired amount of said pellet is transferred;   detaching said transfer syringe from said harvesting syringe;   attaching a needle to said transfer syringe; and   injecting said cell pellet at a second location.   
     
     
         7 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 6  wherein said dual syringe assembly further comprises:
 a harvesting syringe having a sidewall and bottom wall that define a cavity having an open end opposite said bottom wall; 
 a first port and a second port in said bottom wall each of said ports creating a fluid pathway with said cavity; 
 wherein said plunger of said harvesting syringe is inserted into said cavity of said harvesting syringe through said open end; 
 said transfer syringe having a sidewall and bottom wall that define a cavity having an open end opposite said bottom wall; 
 a port in said bottom wall of said transfer syringe creating a fluid pathway with said cavity of said transfer syringe; and 
 wherein said plunger of said transfer syringe is inserted into said cavity of said transfer syringe through said open end; 
 wherein said second port of said harvesting syringe is fluidly connected to said port of said transfer syringe. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method for harvesting and transplanting cells of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of:
 disconnecting said needle hub from said cannula while said cannula remains in said patient; 
 removing said needle hub from said dual syringe; and 
 attaching said dual syringe to said cannula.