Collection and filtration via suction of biological material during surgical procedure

Abstract

A method for collecting and filtering biological material from blood and other fluids during a surgical procedure includes: attaching a first cover including a suction port and an intake port to a collection trap; attaching a suction source to the suction port; attaching an instrument to the intake port, through which blood and tissue are suctioned and received into the collection trap; filing the collection trap with blood and tissue; removing the collection trap from the first cover; attaching a second cover to the collection trap in place of the first cover, the second cover including a suction port and a plunger, the plunger including a press head having a screen portion permitting blood and other fluids to pass; attaching a suction source to the suction port of the second cover; separating the blood from the tissue by deploying the plunger; and drawing off the blood through the suction port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting and filtering tissue from blood and other fluids, comprising: (a) first and second collection traps; and (b) first and second covers; (c) wherein the first cover comprises a suction port and an intake port; and (d) wherein the second cover comprises a suction port and a plunger. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second collection traps comprises an open-ended cylindrical container; and wherein the first and second covers comprise interchangeable lids that are removably attachable to the open-end of each of the first and second containers in sealing engagement therewith. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plunger includes a press head by which tissue is filtered from blood and other fluids. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the press head includes a screen through which blood and other fluids are filtered and by which tissue is restrained from passing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the screen is retained to the press head by at least a portion of the press head being formed about the screen. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the screen is disk shaped; and wherein the press head includes support members that support the screen at radially extending, elongate areas. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the screen is disk shaped and corresponds generally to an oval cross-sectional shape of the interior chamber of the container; and wherein the press head includes support members that support the screen only (i) at radially extending, elongate areas, and (ii) along one or more outer circumferential edge portions of the screen. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein plunger is maintained in a first position where at a press head of the plunger is located proximate an underside of the first cover. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plunger is lockable in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plunger is spring-biased into the first position. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lids comprise screw-on lids; wherein each of the containers comprises ribs along an exterior surface extending in an axial direction relative to an axis of the container; and wherein each of the first and second covers includes ribs that generally align with the ribs of each of the containers when securely attached thereto, the ribs of each of the containers and the ribs of the lids further providing gripping areas for screwing the lids on and off of the containers. 
     
     
         12 . A kit for collecting biological material during a surgical procedure, comprising a container in which is contained: (a) a first collection trap; (b) a second collection trap; (c) a first cover; and (d) a second cover; (e) wherein the first cover and the second cover are interchangeably attachable to each of the first and the second collection traps; (f) wherein the first cover comprises a suction port and an intake port; and (g) wherein the second cover comprises a suction port and a plunger. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , further comprising tubing configured to attach to the suction port of the first cover and an elbow connector configure to attach to the tubing. 
     
     
         14 . A method for collecting and filtering biological material from blood and other fluids during a surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
 (a) attaching a first cover to a collection trap, the first cover including a suction port and an intake port;   (b) attaching a suction source to the suction port;   (c) attaching an instrument to the intake port, through which instrument blood and tissue are suctioned and received through the intake port into the collection trap;   (d) at least partially filing the collection trap with blood and tissue;   (e) removing the collection trap from the first cover;   (f) attaching a second cover to the collection trap in place of the first cover, the second cover including a suction port and a plunger, the plunger including a press head having a screen portion permitting blood and other fluids to pass there through but generally blocking tissue from passing there through;   (g) attaching a suction source to the suction port of the second cover;   (h) separating the blood from the tissue by deploying the plunger; and   (i) drawing off the blood from the container through the suction port.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of attaching the first cover to a second collection trap and at least partially filling the second collection trap while performing said steps (f) through (i). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising securing the first cover to a surgical drape on the side of a patient during the surgical procedure, wherein the first cover remains secured to the surgical drape while performing steps (d) through (i). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the suction port of the first cover projects outwardly on a side of the first cover, and wherein the intake port projects upwardly and orthogonally to a direction of projection of the suction port. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the intake port of the first cover projects outwardly on a side of the first cover, and wherein the suction port projects upwardly and orthogonally to a direction of projection of the suction port. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the instrument is an ultrasonic device for cutting and removing tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the instrument is a suctioning device for removing bone.