Extraction system for testing microbial contamination of tissue products

Abstract

An extraction system for testing microbial contamination includes a biocompatible outer vessel that has a side wall and a biocompatible suspension system that is positionable within an interior of the biocompatible outer vessel. The biocompatible suspension system includes a horizontal member on which a sample may be supported and a securement mechanism that is engagable with the side wall of the biocompatible outer vessel to maintain the suspension system at a desired position within the biocompatible outer vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extraction system for testing microbial contamination, the extraction system comprising:
 a biocompatible outer vessel comprising a side wall; and   a biocompatible inner vessel positionable within the biocompatible outer vessel, wherein the biocompatible inner vessel comprises:
 a body formed from a perforated rigid sheet; and 
 one or more supports extending along a length of the biocompatible inner vessel to provide rigidity to the biocompatible inner vessel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more supports extending along the length of the biocompatible inner vessel comprise a bottom support extending horizontally along a second end of the biocompatible inner vessel.   
     
     
         3 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more supports extending along the length of the biocompatible inner vessel comprise one or more vertical support rods positioned vertically along a wall of the body.   
     
     
         4 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more supports extending along the length of the biocompatible inner vessel comprise one or more ring-shaped support rods positioned along an interior or exterior of the body.   
     
     
         5 . The extraction system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the one or more supports extending along the length of the biocompatible inner vessel further comprise one or more vertical support rods and the ring-shaped support rods are affixed to the one or more vertical support rods.   
     
     
         6 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel further comprises flange that is a couplable to a second end of the biocompatible outer vessel, wherein the flange extends away from the second end to provide stabilization to the biocompatible outer vessel during a processing operation.   
     
     
         7 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the perforated rigid sheet comprises at least one of:
 biocompatible stainless steel; 
 a biocompatible polycarbonate material; 
 glass; or 
 titanium. 
   
     
     
         8 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel comprises at least one of a spout, a flange, or a handle.   
     
     
         9 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel has a height of between about four inches and thirty inches.   
     
     
         10 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel has a diameter of between approximately 2 inches and 8 inches.   
     
     
         11 . The extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biocompatible inner vessel has a height of approximately thirteen inches and a diameter of approximately four inches, wherein the biocompatible inner vessel comprises a handle coupled to the biocompatible inner vessel.   
     
     
         12 . An extraction system for testing microbial contamination, the extraction system comprising:
 a biocompatible outer vessel; and   a biocompatible suspension system positionable within the biocompatible outer vessel, wherein soft tissue is positionable on the biocompatible suspension system and wherein the biocompatible suspension system comprises:
 a horizontal member; and 
 one or more vertical members coupled to the horizontal member, wherein the horizontal member or the one or more vertical members are configured to secure a tissue sample within the biocompatible suspension system. 
   
     
     
         13 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the one or more vertical members comprise a first vertical member and a second vertical member; and   the horizontal member extends between and couples with the first vertical member and the second vertical member.   
     
     
         14 . The extraction system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the biocompatible suspension system further comprises a second horizontal member, wherein the second horizontal member extends between and couples with the first vertical member and the second vertical member at a position different from the horizontal member.   
     
     
         15 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the biocompatible suspension system comprises a clamp that is coupled with the horizontal member, the clamp being configured to secure the tissue sample to the biocompatible suspension system.   
     
     
         16 . The extraction system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the clamp is moveable along a length of the horizontal member.   
     
     
         17 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the biocompatible suspension system comprises one or more hooks for coupling the biocompatible suspension system to the biocompatible outer vessel.   
     
     
         18 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the extraction system further comprises a biocompatible inner vessel positionable within the biocompatible outer vessel; and   the biocompatible suspension system is positionable within the biocompatible inner vessel.   
     
     
         19 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel comprises a wall having a thickness of between about 0.5 and 3 millimeters.   
     
     
         20 . The extraction system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the biocompatible outer vessel comprises at least one of a spout, a flange, or a handle.