Tissue processing device and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Tissue processing devices are provided. The tissue processing devices can be used to process and transport tissue in a closed and continuous environment. The devices can be used for adipose tissue transfer, including autologous fat grafting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue processing device, comprising:
 a body including a cavity formed therein, the body defining a proximal section and a distal section;   a tissue collection port formed in a wall of the body and adapted to receive tissue therethrough and in fluid communication with the cavity;   an auger including a helical blade within the cavity for transferring the tissue from the proximal section to the distal section of the body;   a filter separating the cavity to define a first cylindrical compartment and a second compartment, wherein the filter defines at least a portion of a wall surrounding the auger; and   an extrusion port formed in a wall of the body and adapted for removal therethrough of the tissue from the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue collection port and the extrusion port are in fluid communication with the first cylindrical compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , comprising at least one injection port formed in fluid communication with the cavity and adapted for injection of a wash solution therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , comprising a vacuum port formed in the wall of the body, the vacuum port being in fluid communication with the second compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , comprising a crank for rotatably driving the auger. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , comprising an automated actuation unit for rotatably driving the auger. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the automated actuation unit comprises:
 a graphical user interface connected to a computer or at least one processor; and   a motor configured to receive input regarding information related to actuation of the auger.   
     
     
         8 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical blade is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical blade rotates such that a peripheral edge of the helical blade moves proximate an inner wall of the first cylindrical compartment. 
     
     
         10 . A method of processing tissue, comprising:
 providing a tissue processing device, the tissue processing device including:
 a body including a cavity formed therein, the body defining a proximal section and a distal section; 
 a tissue collection port formed in a wall of the body and in fluid communication with the cavity; 
 an auger including a helical blade within the first cylindrical compartment; 
 a filter separating the cavity to define a first cylindrical compartment and a second compartment, wherein the filter defines at least a portion of a wall surrounding the auger; and 
 an extrusion port formed in a wall of the body; 
   introducing tissue for processing through the tissue collection port of the body proximal section and into the cavity;   actuating the auger to transfer the tissue from the body proximal section to the body distal section; and   removing the tissue from the cavity through the extrusion port after the tissue has been processed.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue collection port and the extrusion port are in fluid communication with the first cylindrical compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the helical blade is disposed within the first cylindrical compartment for transferring the tissue from the body proximal section to the body distal section. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device comprises at least one injection port formed in fluid communication with the cavity, and wherein the at least one injection port comprises:
 a first injection port formed in the wall of the body proximal section; and   second and third injection ports formed in a wall of the body distal section.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising injecting a wash solution into the cavity through the first, second, or third injection ports after introducing the tissue through the tissue collection port, and prior to removing the tissue from the extrusion port, to clean and process the tissue for transplantation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising filtering the tissue of undesired components through the filter during transfer of the tissue from the body proximal section to the body distal section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising extruding undesired components from the second compartment through a vacuum port formed in a wall of the body prior to removing the tissue from the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the extrusion port is adapted to fluidically connect the first cylindrical compartment to an injection device and fill the injection device with processed adipose tissue from within the first compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the injection device is a syringe or cannula. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue is human adipose tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device comprises an automated actuation unit for rotatably driving the auger, and wherein the automated actuation unit comprises:
 a graphical user interface connected to a computer or at least one processor; and   a motor configured to receive input regarding information related to actuation of the rotary transfer device.