Syringe filling device for fat transfer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for transfer of tissue or other materials such as adipose tissue. The systems and methods can include a vessel and a syringe to facilitate transfer of tissue between one or more vessels and tissue implantation devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of transferring tissue or other material to a syringe, comprising:
 selecting a material holding or processing vessel having an outlet and an exterior fluid passage and containing a tissue or other material to be transferred;   mating an end of a syringe to the outlet of the vessel to place an interior volume of the syringe body and the interior of the vessel into fluid communication and to place the exterior fluid passage and the interior of the vessel into fluid communication;   attaching a negative pressure source to the exterior fluid passage; and   engaging the negative pressure source to draw the tissue or other material from the vessel through the outlet and into the interior volume of the syringe body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material holding or processing vessel further comprises an elongated lumen extending from the exterior wall to the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mating the end of the syringe further comprises mating an interior surface of a ridge of the material holding or processing vessel with an exterior lateral surface of a distal portion of the syringe. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of washing or treating the tissue inside the material holding or processing vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein washing or treating the tissue includes using at least one filter, fluid inlet, or fluid outlet of the material holding or processing vessel to facilitate tissue washing or treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein washing or treating the tissue includes using at least one mixing blade, filter, fluid inlet, or fluid outlet to facilitate tissue washing or treatment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mating the end of the syringe further comprises mating the end of a tip of the syringe with a mating surface of the material holding or processing vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the negative pressure source to the exterior fluid passage includes attaching the negative pressure source to an adapter at a distal end of the exterior fluid passage. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving a plunger longitudinally within the syringe body while tissue is being drawn into the syringe body. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising locking the plunger at a selected longitudinal position using a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior fluid passage has a proximal opening, a lumen, and a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening, lumen, and distal opening are external to the interior volume, and the distal opening is located proximate an opening of the outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material holding or processing vessel comprises a plurality of outlets and a plurality of exterior fluid passages, the method further comprising mating multiple syringes with the plurality of outlets of the material holding or processing vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mating the end of the syringe to the outlet of the vessel includes placing a passage through a peripheral wall of a tip of the syringe in fluid communication with the interior volume of the syringe body and the exterior fluid passage of the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . A method of transferring tissue or other material to a syringe, comprising:
 providing a material holding or processing vessel including an exterior wall surrounding an interior volume for holding tissue, an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, and an exterior fluid passage having an opening disposed proximate an opening of the outlet;   providing a syringe including a syringe body having an interior syringe volume, a syringe tip comprising a peripheral wall having a distal opening forming a first passage in fluid communication with the interior volume, wherein the syringe tip is adapted to be mated with the outlet of the material holding or processing vessel such that the opening of the outlet is in fluid communication with the first passage of the syringe tip and the exterior fluid passage of the material holding or processing vessel is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the syringe body;   mating the outlet to the syringe tip;   attaching a negative pressure source to the exterior fluid passage; and   engaging the negative pressure source to draw the tissue or other material from the vessel through the outlet and into the syringe body.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the material holding or processing vessel further comprises an elongated lumen extending from the exterior wall to the outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein mating the outlet further comprises mating an interior surface of a ridge of the material holding or processing vessel with an exterior lateral surface of a distal portion of the syringe. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a step of washing or treating the tissue inside the material holding or processing vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein washing or treating the tissue includes using at least one filter, fluid inlet, or fluid outlet of the material holding or processing vessel to facilitate tissue washing or treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein washing or treating the tissue includes using at least one mixing blade, filter, fluid inlet, or fluid outlet to facilitate tissue washing or treatment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein mating the outlet further comprises mating the end of a tip of the syringe with a mating surface of the material holding or processing vessel.