Apparatus and methods relating to collecting and processing human biological material containing adipose

A portable apparatus for collection and processing of human biological material containing adipose, such as extracted during a lipoplasty procedure, is useful for multi-step processing to prepare a concentrated product (e.g., stromal vascular fraction) or a fat graft composition. The apparatus has a container with a containment volume with a tissue retention volume and a filtrate volume separated by a filter and with a tapered portion to a collection volume for collecting concentrate product. Inlet and suction ports provide access to the tissue retention volume and filtrate volume, respectively, and an extraction port provides versatile access for removal of target processed concentrate material or fat graft material, which access may be via a lumen through a rotatable mixer shaft. Access ports may be configured for access only from above the container. The apparatus is incorporatable into a variety of assemblies, systems, kits, methods and uses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus, assemblies, systems, methods and uses related to collection and processing human biological material comprising adipose, including for preparation of fat grafts or concentrate products such as stromal vascular fraction rich in stem cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adipose tissue is recognized as a promising source of stem cells with at least multi-potent differentiation potential. Lipoasperate obtained during a lipoplasty procedure, such as lipo surgery, may be processed to prepare a so-called stromal vascular fraction (SVF) that is rich in stem cells. Processing to prepare SVF may include washing lipoasperate with saline solution, followed by enzymatic digestion of washed tissue using collagenase, and centrifuging digested material to prepare SVF in the form of a centrifuged pellet. Such collection and processing of tissue involves several steps with transfer of contents between different process containers for different tissue collection and processing steps, which is cumbersome and provides significant opportunities for error or contamination.

Adipose is widely used in fat grafting, also referred to as fat transfer, procedures. There are a variety of different fat grafting applications. One common fat graft application is breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Adipose is also a promising delivery vehicle, for example to deliver stem cells or hormones with a fat graft. Current practices for collecting and processing adipose-containing tissue to prepare fat graft compositions do not adequately address needs across the variety of applications in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is provided by an apparatus that is adapted to serve both for collection of human biological material (e.g., tissue, biological fluids) comprising adipose removed from a patient during a lipoplasty procedure and for convenient post-collection processing of collected material. Such human biological material and separated or processed portions thereof may be referred to herein simply as “tissue”, for convenience and brevity. For example, the term tissue may be used herein to refer to in-tact tissue, disrupted tissue, tissue fragments and biological fluids associated with or separate from tissue. The apparatus is orientable in a collection orientation for collection of human biological material, or tissue, comprising adipose, such as during a lipoplasty procedure. For convenience of description except as noted, the apparatus is described as oriented in the collection orientation. As such, relational references such as to top, bottom, up, down, above, below, elevations, vertical, horizontal and the like are in relation to the apparatus as oriented in the collection orientation. The apparatus may be configured such that the apparatus may be stably supported in the collection orientation. For example, the apparatus may have a base configured for interfacing with a flat, substantially horizontal surface (e.g., counter top or table top) to stably support the apparatus in the collection orientation, or may be held in a mounting structure that maintains the apparatus in the collection orientation. Although such an orientation is referred to as a “collection” orientation it should be appreciated that use of the apparatus is not limited to being oriented only in the collection orientation or that only human biological material collection may be performed while the apparatus is oriented in the collection orientation. The apparatus may be advantageously configured to permit performance of many different operations with the apparatus when the apparatus is oriented in the collection orientation.

The apparatus of the first aspect may be used in a variety of processing applications involving adipose. The apparatus may, for example, be used for preparation of concentrated or separated portions of the collected human biological material, for example to produce a stromal vascular fraction rich in stem cells derived from adipose tissue. As another example, the apparatus may be used for preparation of a fat graft comprising adipose. The apparatus has a design that accommodates retention of a target material (e.g., stem cells or adipose) in a single container from collection through preparation of a concentrate or other product containing the target material. By target material, it is meant some component or components from or some portion or portions of collected human biological material of interest for recovery following processing in the apparatus, such as recovery in a concentrated or modified form relative to the collected human biological material (e.g., stromal vascular fraction concentrate rich in stem cells, cleaned adipose-containing fraction for fat grafting applications)

The apparatus of the first aspect includes a container having an internal containment volume, with the internal containment volume comprising a tissue retention volume, a filtrate volume, a collection volume, and a tapered portion. The tissue retention volume and filtrate volume are separated by a filter with a separation size preferably in a range of from 70 microns to 400 microns. The collection volume is within the filtrate volume (i.e., is a part of the filtrate volume) and has a bottom elevation corresponding to a bottom elevation of the filtrate volume and a top elevation that is lower than the bottom elevation of the tissue retention volume. The tapered portion tapers in a downward direction with at least a portion of the tapered portion being located above the collection volume. The apparatus includes an inlet port in fluid communication with the tissue retention volume and configured for introducing extracted biological material directly into the tissue retention volume, such as during a lipoplasty procedure. The apparatus includes a suction port that is in fluid communication with the filtrate volume and provides access to the filtrate volume for suctioning from the filtrate volume material that may pass through the filter from the tissue retention volume to the filtrate volume, for example biological fluids that may separate from biological material introduced into the tissue retention volume.

As noted, the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume of the apparatus of the first aspect are separated by the filter. By being “separated” by the filter it is meant that the filter forms at least a portion of the defining physical separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume. As will be appreciated, the filter accommodates movement of fluid and undersize non-fluid material (e.g., liberated undersize cells, tissue fragments, etc.) between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume, while retaining oversize material within the tissue retention volume. In some applications (e.g., preparing a stromal vascular fraction concentrate), target material may comprise biological material that during processing in the apparatus passes through the filter and collects in the collection volume. As discussed below, the apparatus may be configured to be received in a centrifuge for centrifuging the apparatus, and such centrifuging may assist to concentrate such target material in the collection volume. In other applications (e.g., preparing a fat graft), target material (e.g., adipose) may be retained within the tissue retention volume following processing.

The apparatus may be used during multiple processing steps to prepare, for example, a stromal vascular fraction from human biological material comprising adipose or a fat graft containing adipose, without the need to transfer a target material between different containers for different processing steps. The apparatus may be used initially to collect the human biological material (e.g. tissue and fluids) during a lipoplasty procedure. The apparatus may be portable and easily transportable between locations where collection or different processing operations may be conducted.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the first aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the first aspect.

The apparatus may include an extraction port in fluid communication with the internal containment volume and configured for removing processed biological material from the internal containment volume. Any or all of the inlet port, the suction port and the extraction port may be configured for access therethrough from above the container into the internal containment volume. The extraction port may be located above a portion of the filter, so that the advancing tip of a hypodermic needle pierces the filter when the tip of the hypodermic needle is advanced from the extraction port into the collection volume. The collection volume may include a nadir and the extraction port may be positioned above the nadir so that the tip of a hypodermic needle inserted through the extraction port may be advanced vertically downward to the vicinity of the nadir of the collection volume.

The apparatus may include a mixing device disposed at least in part within the tissue retention volume for mixing contents within the tissue retention volume. The mixing device may comprise a rotatable shaft extending from outside of the internal containment volume to inside of the internal containment volume. The shaft may be made of a polymeric or metallic material of construction. A preferred material of construction for the shaft is stainless steel, for example 303, 304 or 316 stainless steel. If a polymeric material of construction is used, it should preferably be high-strength, for example an Ultem™ resin composition available from Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC). The shaft may comprise at the top a tapered receptacle adapted to mate with a tapered syringe tip. The tapered receptacle may be fitted with an o-ring to seal against the tapered syringe tip when inserted into the tapered receptacle, thereby permitting a good suction to be applied by the syringe through the lumen to extract material from the tissue retention volume. The shaft may comprise a handle interface outside of the internal containment volume. The apparatus may further include a handle interfaced to the handle interface, wherein rotating the handle causes the shaft to rotate, thereby operating the mixing device. The handle may be removably interfaced to the handle interface, to permit the handle to conveniently be connected with the handle interface to operate the mixing device when appropriate and to conveniently be removed from the handle interface to permit access to a top of the apparatus without interference from the handle. The apparatus may include a lumen that extends through the shaft and has a proximal end located outside of the internal containment volume and a distal end located within the internal containment volume. Such a lumen may provide access from outside of the internal containment volume to inside of the internal containment volume. A removable plug for sealing the lumen may be disposed in the proximal end of the lumen. The shaft may be rotatable about an axis that extends through the collection volume. The lumen may be aligned with the axis. The lumen may provide access to the collection volume for aspiration of material therefrom and/or injection of material thereto.

In one variation on embodiments that include the lumen, the apparatus may be configured for advancing a hypodermic needle through the lumen and out of the distal end of the lumen to access the collection volume with an advancing tip of the hypodermic needle. The distal end of the lumen may be located in the tissue retention volume above a portion of the filter, so that the advancing tip of the hypodermic needle may pierce the filter when the tip of the hypodermic needle exits the distal end of the lumen and is advanced from the distal end of the lumen into the collection volume. The collection volume may include a nadir, and an axis of the lumen may be aligned so that the tip of a hypodermic needle exiting the distal end of the lumen may be advanced to the vicinity of the nadir of the collection volume. The hypodermic needle may thus access the collection volume to permit injection of material into and/or aspiration of material from the collection volume (e.g., aspiration of stromal vascular fraction concentrate or other processed biological material collecting in the collection volume during processing). The apparatus may be designed for single-use, and piercing the filter with a hypodermic needle may beneficially provide a safety mechanism for preventing reuse, and risks associated therewith, by damaging the filter in a way that renders the filter unsatisfactory for reuse.

In another variation on embodiments that include the lumen, a barrier member may be disposed between a distal end of the lumen and the collection volume. The barrier member may thus prevent access through the lumen to the collection volume. In this way, the barrier member may effectively restrict use of the apparatus to applications in which target material is retained within the tissue retention volume (e.g., preparation of a fat graft), and may effectively prevent the apparatus from being used in applications in which target material may collect in the collection volume. The barrier member improves the aspiration function through the lumen of the rotatable shaft by reducing or eliminating a potential pathway for air through the filter to the distal tip of the lumen from the filtrate volume to the distal tip of the lumen in the retention volume when air is present in the filtrate volume. The distal end of the lumen may be located in the tissue retention volume and contents of the tissue retention volume may be removable from the tissue retention volume to outside of the internal containment volume through the lumen. Flow of the contents from the tissue retention volume into the lumen may be through a restricted space between the distal end of the lumen and the barrier member. In one preferred implementation, the distal end of the lumen and the barrier member may be separated by a distance of no more than 5 millimeters. The distal end of the lumen and the barrier member may often, however, be separated by a distance of at least 1 millimeter. When the lumen extends through a rotatable shaft, the barrier member may be connected with the shaft and may rotate when the shaft is rotated. The barrier member may be not connected to a rotating shaft. For example, the barrier member may be part of or supported by the filter or other structure disposed between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume.

The mixing device may comprise at one or more mixing members disposed in the tissue retention volume and connected with the shaft, wherein the mixing member moves through the tissue retention volume when the shaft is rotated. For example, a mixing member may be in the form of impeller blades, paddles or arms that agitate and mix components within the tissue retention volume when the shaft is rotated. At least a portion of the tissue retention volume may be within the tapered portion of the internal containment volume, and at least a portion of one or more such mixing member may be disposed within the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The mixing device may include a filter contact member that moves when the shaft is rotated and movably contacts the filter. The filter contact member may be part of or separate from such a mixing member. The filter contact member contacts the filter at least periodically, and may contact the filter continuously when the shaft is rotated. The filter contact member may advantageously deform the filter when it moveably contacts the filter, promoting dislodgment of material from the filter to help prevent filter clogging.

As noted, the suction port is in fluid communication with the filtrate volume. By the suction port being in fluid communication with the filtrate volume, it is meant that the suction port is fluidly connected directly to the filtrate volume, and not indirectly through the tissue retention volume and the filter. The fluid communication may be provided by a dedicated conduit extending from the suction port to a desired location within the filtrate volume where it is desired to apply suction directly to the filtrate volume. The suction port may be in fluid communication with the tapered portion of the internal containment volume through a conduit providing fluid communication from the suction port to a location within the filtrate volume that is also within the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The conduit may extend through the filtrate volume from adjacent the suction port to such a location within the filtrate volume. The suction port may be located above the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The suction port may be configured for access through the suction port from above the container. The suction port may be configured for connection to a vacuum system to suction material from the filtrate volume, such as material that passes through the filter from the tissue retention volume to the filtrate volume.

The apparatus may include multiple suction ports. For example, the apparatus may include a first suction port as described in the preceding paragraph that is in fluid communication with a first location in the filtrate volume within the tapered portion of the internal containment volume through a first conduit, and the apparatus may include a second suction port through which components passing through the filter from the tissue retention volume to the filtrate volume may be suctioned from the filtrate volume through a second conduit extending from the second suction port to a second location within the filtrate volume. The second conduit may be configured to permit adjustment of the elevation of the second location within the filtrate volume. The second conduit may be translatable through the second suction port to adjust the elevation of the second location within the filtrate volume. The second conduit may be configured so that at any extent of such adjustment of the second location, the second location will always be at a higher elevation within the filtrate volume than the first location, which may be fixed. The second conduit may be configured to permit adjustment of the position of the second location within the filtrate volume at different elevations above the tapered portion of the filtrate volume. The second conduit may be configured to permit positioning the second location at an elevation corresponding with an interface between the tapered portion of the filtrate volume and a portion of the filtrate volume located above the tapered portion, which may be the lowest elevation to which adjustment is permitted. The second suction port may be configured for access through the second suction port from above the container.

Any one or more of the inlet port, the suction port of other ports providing access to the internal containment volume may be configured for access through the port from above. In this way, access through each such port may be conveniently from above the apparatus, providing a significant advantage to a user of the apparatus in that such a user may focus all access manipulations from above the apparatus while the apparatus is in a normal position in the collective orientation, for example with the apparatus freestanding on a flat work surface such as a table or counter. Complexities associated with access from the side or from below may be avoided, including the complexity of sealing and providing access into side or bottom access ports against a positive fluid head that may be present in the container and the complexity of awkward side of bottom interactions by users. Although such access from above the container may be at some angle relative to vertical, in a preferred implementation the access through such port is in a vertical direction from above the container. In one preferred implementation, all access to the internal containment volume may be through access ports wherein each such access port (e.g., inlet port, suction port, extraction port, other ports) is configured for access through the access port only from above the container. In another preferred implementation, all access ports may be configured for access through each such access port in a vertical direction from above the container.

The tapered portion may have a cross-sectional area that tapers, or reduces in size, in a direction toward the bottom of the collection volume. The tapered portion of the containment volume helps to direct and concentrate target dense material (e.g., dense cells, stromal vascular fraction) toward and into the collection volume. The tapered portion of the containment volume may have a conical shape or any other shape with a cross-sectional area that tapers to reduce in size in a direction toward the bottom of the collection volume.

The container may have a self-supporting structure, with the container having rigid walls or rigid structural supports to maintain the container in a particular configuration. The apparatus may have a container that is not self-supporting. The container may have a non-self-supporting wall structure. For example, the container may have a wall structure formed by a flexible vinyl or other plastic bag material. Such a non-self supporting wall structure (e.g., plastic fluid containment bag) may be sealed to a rigid top of the container, which top may comprise one or more of the inlet port, the suction port and/or other ports.

The container may be made of any suitable material or materials of construction. The container may be made of one or more plastic composition. The container may have transparent walls. A preferred material of construction for the container is a clear polymeric material, such as for example a clarified polypropylene composition. Clarified polypropylene compositions provide low cellular adhesion and reasonable clarity. The container may be comprised of multiple pieces, which may all be made out of the same material of construction or one or more of such pieces may be made of a different material of construction.

The container may comprise a fluid containment shell with an internal cavity portion forming at least a part of the internal containment volume. The internal cavity portion may be open to above. The container may include a lid attached to the shell and disposed to cover from above the internal cavity portion. One or more than one of the suction port the inlet port or other access port may pass through the lid. In one preferred implementation, all access into the internal containment volume may be only through one or more openings, or ports, passing through the lid. The filter may be suspended from the lid. The mixing device may be supported by the lid and extend vertically downward from the lid into the tissue retention volume. The apparatus may include a flow barrier skirt extending between 5 mm and 50 mm downward from the lid into the internal containment volume. The shell may comprise walls around the internal cavity portion except where the cavity portion is open to above, and the apparatus may be configured with no access into the internal containment volume through the walls of the shell. The shell may comprise an upper portion having a first wall surface portion defining a corresponding upper portion of the internal containment volume. Substantially all of the first wall surface portion may have a steep incline relative to horizontal, for example an incline of at least 65°, preferably an incline of at least 75° and more preferably an incline of about 90° (vertical wall surface). The shell may include a lower portion located below the upper portion and having a second wall surface portion defining a corresponding lower portion of the internal containment volume, and the second wall surface portion may include a tapered wall surface portion defining the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The tapered wall surface portion may have a less steep incline relative to horizontal than the first wall portion of the upper portion. The incline relative to horizontal of the tapered wall portion, or of the entire second wall portion when comprised entirely of the tapered wall portion, may be in a range having an upper limit of 70°, 65°, 60° or 65° and a lower limit of 20°, 25°, 30° or 35°, with one preferred range being form 30° to 60°. The tapered portion of the internal containment volume may occupy substantially the entire lower portion of the internal containment volume, and the second surface may be made up entirely or substantially entirely by the tapered wall surface. At least a first portion of the filter may be disposed in the upper portion of the internal containment volume and a second portion of the filter may be disposed in the lower portion of the internal containment volume. The incline of each of the first wall surface portion, the second wall surface portion and the tapered wall surface portion need not be uniform, however all portions of the first wall surface portion may preferably be at a steeper incline than the incline of any portion of the tapered wall surface portion.

There are a number of advantages that may be available with configurations of the preceding paragraph including an upper portion having a steeper wall surface incline and a lower portion having a less steep wall surface incline. Such a structure advantageously accommodates a larger proportion of the internal containment volume being allocated to the tissue retention volume, with a larger portion of the tissue retention volume in the upper portion of the shell and a smaller portion of the tissue retention volume in a lower portion of the shell. The tapered wall surface portion of the lower portion of the shell helps to direct fluid and other material in the filtrate volume toward the bottom of the filtrate volume for efficient collection and removal. In applications where target material is to be collected in the collection volume, the tapered wall surface also directs material toward the collection volume, which may generally be located in a bottom portion of the filtrate volume. The apparatus may also be configured to be centrifugable, and centrifuging will tend to accelerate concentration of a most dense fraction (e.g., stromal vascular fraction) in the collection volume.

More generally, the tapered portion of the internal containment volume may have a tapered portion nadir corresponding with a bottom elevation of the internal containment volume. The bottom elevation of the collection volume may correspond with the bottom elevation of the internal containment volume. Wall surfaces of the container defining the tapered portion of the internal containment volume may coverage at a point at the tapered portion nadir. This is a particularly beneficial configuration, especially for applications when target material is to be collected in and removed from the collection volume in the vicinity of the tapered portion nadir.

The apparatus may be configured with a very convenient size from a number of perspectives, and with efficient use of the internal containment volume to facilitate efficient collection of biological material and versatility in post-collection processing. The apparatus may be sized for convenient hand transportation, such as between a location where human biological material may be collected to other, different locations, where various processing of collected material may be carried out. The apparatus may also be sized for convenient manipulation by a person.

For many applications, the apparatus may be sized and configured such that the internal containment volume has a volume in a range with a lower limit of 100 cubic centimeters, 300 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 600 cubic centimeters or 700 cubic centimeters and an upper limit of 1500 cubic centimeters, 1300 cubic centimeters, 1100 cubic centimeters, 1000 cubic centimeters, 900 cubic centimeters or 800 cubic centimeters. One preferred range for many applications is for the internal containment volume to be in a range of 700 cubic centimeters to 1000 cubic centimeters. By internal containment volume, it is meant the total internal volume contained within the walls defining the container, including volume that is occupied by internal hardware, such as for example may be occupied by a mixing device, barrier member, suction conduits, barrier skirt, etc. As will be appreciated, less than all of the internal containment volume will be available for processing within the internal containment volume.

The terms “available processing volume” or “useful volume” are used interchangeably herein to refer to the portion of the internal containment volume that is effectively available to receive and process human biological material and additives (e.g. wash other additives) during use of the apparatus for collection of biological material or for post-collection processing. This available processing volume is equal to the internal containment volume less portions of the internal containment volume occupied by hardware (e.g., mixing device, filter, skirt, suction tubes, barrier member, etc.) and less unoccupied portions of the internal containment volume not effectively accessible for occupation by biological material during collection operations or by biological material or additives during post-collection processing. For example, the available processing volume may exclude a small volume at the top of the container that is above a bottom extension of the inlet port into the internal containment volume. This small void space may be beneficial to permit space for fluid to slosh within the container when contents of the container may be internally mixed or externally agitated (e.g., by a shaker table). For many applications, the available processing volume may be in a range having a lower limit of 75 cubic centimeters, 200 cubic centimeters, 400 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 600 cubic centimeters, 650 cubic centimeters or 700 cubic centimeters and an upper limit of 1300 cubic centimeters, 1100 cubic centimeters, 1000 cubic centimeters, 900 cubic centimeters, 850 cubic centimeters, 800 cubic centimeters or 750 cubic centimeters. In one preferred implementation for many applications, the available processing volume may be in a range of from 700 cubic centimeters to 850 cubic centimeters.

Advantageously, the apparatus may be configured so that a large portion of the available processing volume is within the tissue retention volume, while still permitting a high level of performance for various processing operations. The tissue retention volume may comprise at least 60 percent, at least 65 percent or at least 70 percent of the available processing volume with the container. Often, the tissue retention volume will comprise not more than 95 percent, not more than 90 percent or not more than 85 percent of the available processing volume. For many preferred implementations, the tissue retention volume may comprise a portion of the available processing volume that is at least 400 cubic centimeters, at least 500 cubic centimeters, at least 600 centimeters or at least 650 cubic centimeters. The apparatus may advantageously be configured with only a small portion of the available processing volume occupied by the collection volume, located below the filter. For example, the collection volume may comprise no more than 10 percent, no more than 7 percent or no more than 5 percent of the available processing volume.

For many preferred implementations the collection volume may be no larger than 75 cubic centimeters, no larger than 50 cubic centimeters, no larger than 30 cubic centimeters or no larger than 20 cubic centimeters. In one preferred implementation, the collection volume may be in a range of from 10 cubic centimeters to 30 cubic centimeters. Typically, the entire collection volume will make up part of the available processing volume.

The apparatus may be sized and configured to be containable within a relatively small envelope volume which may be particularly advantageous given the relatively large internal containment volume, available processing volume and tissue retention volume that may be provided in the container. For some preferred implementations, the apparatus may be sized and configured to be containable within a first envelope volume defined by a rectangular cuboid having a length dimension of no more than 16 centimeters, a depth dimension of no more than 15 centimeters and a height dimension of no more than 18 centimeters. However, the apparatus may be sized and configured to have some minimum size, for example as a function of a desired size of internal containment volume, available processing volume or tissue retention volume.

For some preferred implementations, the apparatus may have a size and configuration such that the apparatus may not be containable within a second envelope volume defined by a rectangular cuboid having any one or more of a length dimension, depth dimension or height dimension that is smaller than 10 centimeters, i.e., the apparatus would not fit within any rectangular cuboid smaller than 10×10×10 centimeters.

The filter may be of any appropriate filter media design. The filter may be any porous structure with openings sized to make a desired separation. The filter may be in the form of a mesh filter bag disposed within the internal containment volume, and that separates the internal containment volume between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume located on opposite sides of the filter bag. The filter may be a rigid mesh screen. In one implementation, the filter may have a separation size in a range having a lower limit of 70 microns and preferably 80 microns and an upper limit of 125 microns, preferably 110 microns and more preferably 100 microns. By separation size, it is meant the size at which the filter effects separation between particles passing through and particles rejected by the filter during normal operation. The separation size may be determined by the size of openings provided in a surface filter, such as the mesh size of a mesh bag filter or of a rigid mesh screen filter.

In one preferred implementation, the filter may be a mesh filter. With a mesh filter, the separation size will be the size of the mesh openings. In one preferred implementation, whether or not the filter is a mesh filter, the separation size for the filter, and the size of mesh openings when a mesh filter is used, may be in a range having a lower limit of 70 microns, 80 microns, 90 microns, 100 microns, 125 microns or 150 microns and having an upper limit of 400 microns, 350 microns, 300 microns or 250 microns. A particularly preferred range for many applications is from 150 microns to 250 microns, including for preparation of a fat graft or preparation of a stromal vascular fraction concentrate. The mesh filter may be of a flexible or a rigid mesh material. In a preferred implementation, the filter may be made of mesh material, more preferably a nylon mesh material. The filter need not be continuous, and may be comprised of discrete filter areas disposed at different locations between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume. Alternatively, the filter may be, comprised of a single continuous filter area. The filter defines at least part of the physical separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume; it need not define all of the physical separation between the issue retention volume and the filtrate volume. For example, there may be internal walls defining at least a part of the physical separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume, with an example being a skirt barrier that may be disposed at the top of the internal containment volume and that may define a separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume in an upper portion of the internal containment volume. Another example may be a barrier member that blocks access from the tissue retention volume into the collection volume portion of the filtrate volume. As another example, the filter may include filter areas supported by a frame, with structural members of the frame defining apart of the physical separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume. In a preferred implementation, the portion of the physical separation between the tissue retention volume and the filtrate volume that is provided by the filter should generally be large to provide as much filter surface area as reasonably possible.

The apparatus may be configured to be received by a centrifuge for centrifuging. For example, the apparatus may be conveniently sized and configured to be received within a centrifuge bucket, and preferably of a commercially available centrifuge. For example, the apparatus may advantageously be sized and configured to fit within a bucket of a bucket assembly for a Sorvall ST-40 centrifuge. Two or more of the apparatus may be centrifuged simultaneously in a centrifuge. In one preferred implementation, the apparatus may be sized and configured so that two of the apparatus may be simultaneously centrifuged together in a dual bucket assembly, wherein each apparatus counterbalances the other apparatus during centrifuging, for efficient processing. Alternatively one apparatus could be processed within a blank weight as a counterbalance. The apparatus may be received in a centrifuge bucket with the bottom of the apparatus adjacent to and facing the bottom of the bucket.

Configuring the apparatus for centrifuging may be particularly advantageous for applications when target material is to be collected in the collection volume, such as for collecting a stromal vascular fraction concentrate in the collection volume. The collection volume is advantageously positioned in the bottom portion of the internal containment volume where the most dense materials will collect during centrifuging.

The apparatus may include an extraction port in direct fluid communication with the filtrate volume and through which material is removable from the filtrate volume separate from the suction port. In a preferred implementation, access through the extraction port is in vertical direction from above the container, for example with the extraction port passing through the top of the container. Although not a preferred implementation, the apparatus may include an extraction port that is adjacent a bottom elevation of the filtrate volume and configured for access to the collection volume. Such an extraction port may comprise a sealing mechanism that is normally sealed and selectively manipulable to extract material from the collection volume. The sealing mechanism may comprise a septum sealably penetrable by an extraction needle. The collection volume may comprise a collection chamber within the filtrate volume adjacent to the extraction port, which chamber is configured so that the apparatus may be centrifuged to collect within the collection chamber at least the most dense components present within the filtrate volume during a centrifuging operation. The apparatus may comprise a stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue, which may be disposed within the collection chamber. The tapered portion of the internal containment volume may be adjacent to the collection chamber and opposite the extraction port. The tapered portion of the containment volume may help to direct and concentrate target dense cells toward and into the collection chamber. The collection chamber may be cylindrically shaped, preferably with sufficient volume within the cylinder to accumulate all target concentrate product (e.g., all of a stromal vascular fraction). The extraction port may be manipulable to selectively extract material that has collected in the collection chamber. The extraction port may include a sealing mechanism that is normally sealed to normally retain material in the collection chamber and that is manipulable to extract material from the collection chamber as desired. Such a sealing mechanism may include, for example, a septum or diaphragm sealably penetrable by an extraction needle (e.g., a hypodermic needle) or a valve. The extraction port may comprise a needleless port for engaging the tip of a syringe. Preferably, the extraction port is located immediately adjacent the bottom of the collection chamber. The container may have a top side and a bottom side, with the extraction port adjacent to the bottom side and with the inlet port adjacent to the top side. The suction port may be adjacent to the top side of the container and in fluid communication with a conduit extending from adjacent the top side to adjacent the collection chamber to permit, for example, suction of components from within the filtrate volume in the vicinity of the collection chamber.

The apparatus may be configured for the addition of additives to the internal containment volume, and in particular directly into the tissue retention volume. As used herein, such an additive is any material added to the internal containment volume other than the human biological tissue comprising adipose, such as from a lipoplasty procedure, to be processed in the apparatus. Such an additive may be added for example to aid processing within the apparatus or to become part of a composition including target material to be recovered from the apparatus for following processing. Examples of some additives to aid processing may include wash liquid, enzymes or surfactants. Examples of some additives that may become part of a fat graft composition include hormones (e.g., human growth hormone, insulin), buffers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate) and cells (e.g., bone marrow-sourced stem cells, cultured adipose-sourced stem cells, stromal vascular cells from adipose tissue). Such additives may be added to the tissue retention volume through the inlet port.

The apparatus may further include a second inlet port in fluid communication with the tissue retention volume for introducing an additive directly into the tissue retention volume. The second inlet port may be smaller than the inlet port through which the human biological material to be processed (e.g., from a lipoplasty procedure) is introduced into the tissue retention volume. The second inlet port, which may be referred to as an additive inlet port, may be conveniently sized and configured for insertion therethrough of a hypodermic needle from which an additive material may be ejected from the needle into the tissue retention volume.

The apparatus may include human biological material, which may include target material from human biological material originally collected in the apparatus disposed within the internal containment volume (e.g., the apparatus during some stage of use). The apparatus may include adipose-containing material in the tissue retention volume. The apparatus may include in the tissue retention volume an adipose-containing fat graft composition, including any desired additives, ready to be withdrawn from the tissue retention volume and used in a fat graft procedure. The apparatus may include a stromal vascular fraction concentrate disposed in the collection volume.

The apparatus may be packaged within a hermetic enclosure, for example as packaged for transportation and storage prior to use. The apparatus may be sterilized prior to packaging and maintained in a sterile environment within the hermetic enclosure at least until the apparatus is removed from the hermetic enclosure for use. The apparatus may be designed for a single use following removal from the hermetic enclosure. After such single use, the apparatus may be disposed of in an appropriate manner.

The apparatus may be fluidly connected through the inlet port to a pre-filter. The fluid connection may be through a conduit that fluidly connects the inlet port to a downstream side of a pre-filter unit comprising the pre-filter. The pre-filter unit may comprise a housing with the pre-filter disposed within the housing, and with an inlet on an upstream side of the pre-filter and an outlet on downstream side of the pre-filter. The upstream side of the pre-filter may be in fluid communication with a lipoplasty cannula to receive extracted biological material during a lipoplasty procedure and to pre-filter the biological material prior to delivery to the inlet port of the apparatus, for example to remove some collagen from the biological material upstream of the apparatus. The pre-filter may be provided with my convenient separation size, for example in a range having a lower limit of 0.5 millimeter or 1 millimeter to an upper limit of 5 millimeters, 3 millimeters or 2 millimeters. The pre-filter may comprise a mesh screen with mesh openings sized, for example, in such a range.

A second aspect of the invention is provided by an assembly comprising a combination of an apparatus according to the first aspect and at least one other device. A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the second aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the second aspect or the first aspect.

The assembly may comprise a rigid mounting structure, such as a rigid shell, to support the apparatus, or the container of the apparatus, for example during use of the apparatus for collecting human biological material or for post-collection processing. The rigid mounting structure may be made, for example, of metal or plastic material of construction. Combination of the apparatus with a rigid mounting structure is particularly useful when the container comprises a non-self-supporting wall structure, wherein the container is supported by the mounting structure in a configuration suitable for a human biological material collection or processing operation, for example with the non-self supporting wall structure maintained in a fully extended and operational configuration. In one implementation of the assembly, the container may comprise a top from which the non-self supporting wall structure is suspended, and which top is supported by the rigid mounting structure. The non-self-supporting wall structure may be sealed to the top. Such a non-self-supporting wall structure may be provided in the form of a bag, such as made from a vinyl or other plastic material. The centrifuge may be a centrifuge as described above in relation to the first aspect.

In one implementation, the assembly may comprise the apparatus and a centrifuge. The apparatus may be received in the centrifuge for Centrifugation of the apparatus, and also any contents in the apparatus. In one variation, the assembly comprises at least two of the apparatus received in the centrifuge for simultaneous centrifugation, and in one variation the assembly comprises precisely two of the apparatus received in the centrifuge. In one preferred variation, each such apparatus is received in the centrifuge in a manner so that the collection chamber of the internal containment volume will collect at least the most dense material within the filtrate volume during centrifuging of the apparatus, and will also collect the desired concentrate product, whether or not that is comprised of the densest material.

In one implementation, the assembly may comprise the apparatus and an agitation device. The apparatus may be mounted on the agitation device for agitation of the apparatus, and also any contents of the apparatus. The agitation device may be, for example, a shaker (e.g., shaker table). In one variation, the agitation device may be a shaker with temperature control capability for controlling the temperature of the apparatus and contents, and preferably for warming and maintaining the apparatus contents at a constant temperature. In one implementation, each such apparatus, as mounted on the agitation device, is at a controlled temperature of from 35-39° C., and preferably at about 37° C. The agitation device may include a warmer-shaker. The apparatus mounted on the agitation device may include human biological material comprising adipose or a component derived from human biological material comprising disposed within the internal containment volume.

A third aspect of the invention is provided by a tissue collection and processing system comprising the apparatus fluidly connected to receive or discharge fluid or other components to or from the internal containment volume of the container. A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the third aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the first aspect or the third aspect.

The tissue collection and processing system may comprise the apparatus fluidly connected through the inlet port to a tissue conduit for conducting human biological material comprising adipose to the inlet port for introduction into the tissue retention volume of the container. This might be the case, for example, during a lipoplasty procedure with the tissue conduit connected to a liposuction cannula through which human biological material comprising adipose is removed from a patient during the lipoplasty procedure. The tissue collection and processing system may comprise the apparatus fluidly connected through the suction port to a vacuum system for applying suction to the filtrate volume. This may be the case, for example, during a lipoplasty procedure when the apparatus is receiving human biological material comprising adipose into the tissue retention volume, and material passing through the filter during the lipoplasty procedure being removed from the filtrate volume during the lipoplasty procedure by the suction applied through the suction port. In one implementation, the suction port may be fluidly connected to the vacuum system through a collection canister for collecting fluid suctioned from the filtrate volume, which fluid may comprise components of the human biological material that pass through the filter from the tissue retention volume to the filtrate volume, such as may occur during a lipoplasty procedure. Such fluid suctioned from the filtrate volume may, for example, comprise red blood cells separating from the human biological material and pulled through the filter and into the filtrate volume by suction applied through the suction port. The collection canister may, for example, be a waste canister to collect waste products for disposal.

The tissue collection and processing system may comprise the apparatus, a vacuum system, a tissue feed conduit, and a suction conduit. The vacuum system may be in fluid communication with the suction port of the apparatus and may be capable of applying suction to the filtrate volume of the apparatus. The tissue feed conduit may be in fluid communication with the inlet port of the apparatus to conduct human biological material comprising adipose into the tissue retention volume through the inlet port. The suction conduit may be in fluid communication with the suction port and the vacuum system to suction fluid from the filtrate volume of the apparatus. The suction port may be in fluid communication with the vacuum system through a collection canister to collect fluid suctioned from the filtrate volume through the suction port. The tissue feed conduit may be in fluid communication with a lipoplasty cannula. The tissue feed conduit may be in fluid communication with the lipoplasty cannula through a pre-filter to pre-filter human biological material prior to introduction into the tissue retention volume of the apparatus. The pre-filter may be as described with respect to the first aspect, and may be in a pre-filter unit that is or includes features as described in relation to the first aspect. The tissue collection and processing system may include human biological material extracted during a lipoplasty procedure moving through the tissue feed conduit for introduction of human biological material into the tissue retention volume, and a vacuum applied to the filtrate volume by the vacuum system through the suction conduit and drawing into the suction conduit fluid comprising components passing through the filter from the tissue retention volume.

A fourth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for processing tissue from a lipoplasty procedure within a containment volume of a portable tissue collection and processing apparatus to prepare within the apparatus a concentrate product comprising at least one target component of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a filter and a container having an internal containment volume, wherein the internal containment volume comprises a tissue retention volume and a filtrate volume separated by the filter. The method comprises washing the tissue with a wash liquid, with the washing comprising adding the wash liquid to the internal containment volume to contact tissue within the tissue retention volume and passing through the filter and removing from the filtrate volume at least a portion of the wash liquid along with one or more component, typically a non-target component, washed from the tissue while retaining washed tissue within the tissue retention volume. After the washing, the method comprises digesting tissue within the containment volume. The digesting comprises adding enzyme to the containment volume to contact at least a portion of washed tissue within the tissue retention volume. The enzyme is of a type capable of breaking down a portion of the washed tissue to release the target component in a form capable of passing through the filter, and which may then be recovered through the filtrate volume. The digesting comprises, after adding the enzyme, agitating the contents of the containment volume for a time and at a temperature sufficient to release the target component in such a form capable of passing through the filter. After the digesting, the method comprises centrifuging the apparatus to prepare in the filtrate volume a concentrate product comprising the target component.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the fourth aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

The portable tissue collection and processing apparatus may be an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. The method may include one or more steps in addition to the washing, digesting and centrifuging steps. Any such additional step may be performed either prior to the washing, between the washing and digesting, between the digesting and centrifuging, or after the centrifuging. The agitating performed during the digesting may be performed, for example, using an assembly of an apparatus and agitation device according to the second aspect of the invention. The agitating may be performed by or may involve use of a mixing device disposed within the internal containment volume. The centrifuging may be performed, for example, using an assembly of an apparatus received in a centrifuge according to the second aspect of the invention.

In one implementation, the washing may comprise a multi-stage operation with multiple occurrences of adding wash liquid followed by removing used wash liquid from the filtrate volume. The washing may comprise, after adding the wash liquid to the containment volume, centrifuging the apparatus prior to the digesting to help separate wash liquid from tissue that is retained in the tissue retention volume. Following the centrifuging, wash liquid collecting in the filtrate volume may be removed from the filtrate volume prior to the digesting, such as for example through the suction port and/or through the extraction port. When the washing comprises multiple washing stages, each such stage may comprise adding wash liquid to the containment volume followed by centrifuging the apparatus. The washing may be in the absence of such centrifuging. The washing may comprise, after adding the wash liquid, mixing contents (including the wash liquid) in the tissue retention volume (e.g., by operating a mixer in the tissue retention volume), discontinuing the mixing after some period of time and suctioning the fluids from the filtrate volume. The washing may comprise multiple stages with multiple occurrences of adding wash liquid, mixing, discontinuing mixing and suctioning. Following discontinuing the mixing, some quiescent time may be allowed for decantation of liquid prior to commencing the suctioning. The wash liquid may comprise any suitable liquid for washing the tissue within the tissue retention volume. The wash liquid may be or comprise a saline solution, for example a phosphate buffer solution. The saline may be warmed, for example to approximately normal human body temperature, prior to introduction into the tissue retention volume.

The enzyme added to the containment volume during the digesting preferably includes collagenase, which may be accompanied by a neutral protease. The agitating may be accomplished by shaking the apparatus mounted on a shaker, preferably with control of temperature, such as on a warming shaker. The agitating may comprise mixing contents within all or part of the internal containment volume through operation of a mixing device disposed in the internal containment volume, for example a rotating mixing member (e.g., blade, impeller), preferably with control of temperature. During the agitating, the apparatus may be maintained at a relatively constant temperature, for example, between about 35° C. and 39° C., and preferably around 37° C.

The method may comprise prior to the washing, collecting the tissue in the tissue retention volume of the container. Collecting the tissue may be accomplished during a lipoplasty procedure (e.g., lipo surgery) on a patient, such as by conducting adipose tissue that is being removed from the patient into the tissue retention volume through a conduit fluidly connected with the apparatus. The tissue collection may be accomplished, for example, with a tissue collection and processing system according to the third aspect of the invention. The collecting may comprise, during such a lipoplasty procedure, suctioning at least a portion of fluid collecting in the filtrate volume to remove such fluid from, the filtrate volume and from the apparatus. Such fluid may comprise liquid and/or small particles that pass through the filter from the tissue retention volume into the filtrate volume during the lipoplasty procedure. Such fluid may be removed from the filtrate volume by suction through the suction port. Applying suction to the internal containment volume has the benefit of pulling filterable components through the filter into the filtrate volume for removal. Removing such fluid from the filtrate volume permits the filtrate volume to be kept small because it is not necessary to contain all fluid that may separate from the adipose tissue and pass through the filter during a lipoplasty procedure. This provides the advantage of allowing the tissue retention volume to be made proportionally larger to collect a larger quantity of desired tissue during a tissue collection operation. Applying suction to the filtrate volume aids separation of fluid components from the adipose tissue, further providing an advantage of reducing the portion of tissue retained and allowing a larger quantity of desired tissue to be collected during the collection operation.

The method may comprise after the collecting and prior to the washing, disconnecting the apparatus from the conduit through which it received adipose tissue, sealing the containment volume and transporting the apparatus from a first location where the collecting is performed to a second, different location where the washing is performed. The method may comprise after the centrifuging, selectively removing the concentrate product from the filtrate volume. For example, when using an apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the concentrate product may collect in a collection volume, which may be in a collection chamber at the bottom of the collection volume. The concentrate product may be and may be selectively removed from the collection volume through an extraction port. By “selectively removing”, it is meant that the concentrate product is removed separate from one or more other materials present in the filtrate volume following the centrifuging. For example, the filtrate volume may contain multiple different material phases of different densities within the filtrate volume, whether or not multiple phases are present in the collection volume. The targeted concentrate product may be one or more of these phases. During the selectively removing, the desired phase or phases representing the concentrate product are removed separate from some or all of the other phases that may be present in the filtrate volume. In one preferred implementation of the method, a target component comprises stem cells from adipose tissue. The concentrate product may comprise a stromal vascular fraction, which may be in a cell fraction collecting at the bottom of the collection volume. In the case in particular of a stromal vascular fraction in the concentrate product, there may be a phase rich in red blood cells that collect in the collection volume below, and possibly grades into, the bottom of the stromal vascular fraction. There may also be one or more less dense fractions above the stromal vascular fraction within the filtrate volume, some of which may also occupy a portion of the collection volume above the stromal vascular fraction. In one implementation, such a red blood cell phase may be removed from the filtrate volume, for example through the extraction port, prior to removal of the stromal vascular fraction, when the extraction port is adjacent the bottom of a collection chamber. The red blood cell phase may be removed from the filtrate volume together with the stromal vascular fraction in a combined cell fraction. Through thorough washing during the washing operation, the red blood content in such a concentrated cell fraction may be kept relatively small, such that the stromal vascular fraction may be utilized directly in the recovered concentrated cell fraction containing the relatively small red blood cell content. If desired, after removal from the apparatus such a red blood cell phase may be separated from the stromal vascular fraction by known techniques. In one implementation, the concentrate product, such as containing a stromal vascular fraction, is in the form of a pellet, and to facilitate removal of the concentrate product, the concentrate product is diluted in the filtrate volume with a diluent fluid and a diluted concentrate product is then removed from the filtrate volume. The diluent fluid may comprise or be a saline solution, such as for example a phosphate buffer solution. Prior to removing the stromal vascular fraction, one or more less dense layers may first be removed from above the stromal vascular fraction, such as via a suction port.

A fifth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for collecting human biological material comprising adipose extracted from a human patient during a lipoplasty procedure. The method includes introducing a feed comprising human biological material with adipose into a tissue retention volume within an apparatus, retaining a retained portion of the feed in the tissue retention volume, and passing a separated portion of the feed through a filter from the tissue retention volume to a filtrate volume within the apparatus. The introducing the feed includes passing the feed through an inlet port into the tissue retention volume.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the fifth aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the any of the first through fifth aspects.

The apparatus may an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

The method may include, during at least a portion of the introducing, removing from the filtrate volume through the suction port at least a portion of the separated portion of the feed. The method may comprise discontinuing the introducing and performing the removing for some period of time after the discontinuing the introducing. During the removing, substantially all of the separated portion of the feed may be removed from the filtrate volume through the suction port.

In an embodiment, the volume of the separated portion of the feed may be larger than the available processing volume within the filtrate volume. In some implementations, the total volume of feed introduced into the tissue retention volume during the introducing may be greater than the available processing volume within the tissue retention volume. For example, the total volume of feed introduced into the tissue retention volume during the introducing may be at least 125 percent or at least 150 percent of available processing volume within the tissue retention volume. The retained portion of the feed may comprise from 25 to 75 volume percent of the feed introduced into the tissue retention volume during the introducing. The retained portion of the feed may occupy a volume of 50 cubic centimeters, at least 200 cubic centimeters, at least 400 cubic centimeters or at least 500 cubic centimeters within the tissue retention volume. The feed may comprise human biological material passing through a pre-filter located upstream of the inlet port to the tissue retention volume.

A sixth aspect of the invention is provided by a method for processing human biological material comprising adipose within an internal containment volume of an apparatus. The method includes washing the human biological material with a wash liquid. The washing includes adding the wash liquid to the internal containment volume to contact the human biological material within a tissue retention volume within the internal containment volume. Within the internal containment volume, a filter separates the tissue retention volume form a filtrate volume. The washing further includes passing through the filter and removing from the filtrate volume at least a portion of the wash liquid along with one or more components washed from the human biological material while retaining washed human biological material in the tissue retention volume.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the sixth aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of any of the first through sixth aspects.

The apparatus may be an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

The washing may be according to the washing described with respect to the fourth aspect. For example, the washing may or may not involve centrifuging after adding wash liquid, and may involve a single washing stage or may involve a multi-stage washing operation.

The method may further include adding an additive to the washed human biological material in the tissue retention volume. The method may further include mixing the washed human biological material to disperse the additive in the washed human biological material. The mixing may include moving a member within the tissue retention volume. The additive may comprise an ingredient for delivery to a patient in a fat graft. The additive may, for example, be any of the additives listed for possible inclusion in a fat graft composition as discussed in relation to the first aspect.

The method may include removing from the tissue retention volume at least a portion of the washed human biological material for use in a fat graft.

The method may include digesting material within the containment volume. The digesting material may include adding enzyme to the containment volume to contact at least a portion of the washed human biological material within the tissue retention volume. Such an enzyme may be of a type capable of breaking down a portion of the washed human biological material to release a target component in a form capable of passing through the filter. Such an enzyme may comprise collagenase, or collagenase with neutral protease. The digesting may include, after the adding enzyme, agitating contents of the containment volume for a time and at a temperature sufficient to release the target component in the form capable of passing through the filter. The method may include, after the digesting, centrifuging the apparatus to prepare in the collection volume a concentrate product comprising the target component. The target component may include stem cells from adipose tissue. The concentrate may comprise a stromal vascular fraction. The method may comprise, after the centrifuging, selectively removing the concentrate product from the filtrate volume. After the centrifuging and prior to the selectively removing, the concentrate product may be contained in a bottom separated layer or layers disposed within the collection volume, and the selectively removing may include removing from the filtrate volume other separated layers within the filtrate volume disposed above the bottom separated layer or layers containing the concentrate product. When the apparatus comprises a second suction port, the removing from the filtrate volume such other separated layers within the filtrate volume may include removing material of the other separated layers through the second suction port.

The removing from the filtrate volume other separated layers within the filtrate volume disposed above the bottom separated layer or layers within the concentrate product may include tilting the container and suctioning material of the other, higher layers from a laterally distant location within the filtrate volume that is laterally distant from an outer edge of the concentrate product. During such suctioning the concentrate product may remain in a pellet located adjacent the bottom of the collection volume. The laterally distant location may be adjacent a top edge of the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The internal containment volume may include a corner at the top edge of the tapered portion, and the laterally distant location may be adjacent the corner.

After removing from the filtrate volume separated layers within the filtrate volume disposed above the bottom separated layer or layers with the concentrate product, the method may include diluting such bottom layer or layers with a diluent fluid to prepare a diluted concentrate product and removing the diluted concentrate product from the filtrate volume. The other separated layers removed from above the concentrate product may comprise an aqueous layer, a disaggregated adipose layer (containing remnants of disaggregated adipose tissue) and an oil layer. The concentrate product may comprise a concentrated cell fraction containing stromal vascular cells (stromal vascular fraction) and a red blood cell fraction.

The digesting may include shaking the apparatus mounted on a shaker while maintaining the apparatus at a controlled elevated temperature. The digesting may be or include in features as described for digesting in relation to the fourth aspect.

The method may comprise, prior to the washing, collecting the human biological material. The collecting the human biological material may include, during a lipoplasty procedure on a patient, conducting a human biological material feed comprising at least a portion of extracted human biological material removed from the patient into the tissue retention volume. The collecting may include, during the lipoplasty procedure, passing fluid separating from the human biological material feed through the filter into the filtrate volume and suctioning at least a portion of the fluid from the filtrate volume and out of the apparatus. After the collecting and prior to the washing, the method may include sealing the containment volume and transporting the apparatus from a first location where the collecting is performed to a second, different location where the washing is performed.

A seventh aspect of the invention is provided by a kit that includes an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention and a pre-filter unit comprising a pre-filter with openings sized for size separation in a range of from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the seventh aspect of the invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of the first, second, third or seventh aspects.

The kit may further include a pre-filter conduit having a first end configured to be connected to an outlet port of the pre-filter and a second end configured to be connected to the inlet port of the apparatus. The pre-filter may comprise a mesh screen with mesh openings in a range having a lower limit of 0.5 millimeter or millimeter and an upper limit of 5 millimeters, 3 millimeters or 2 to 2 millimeters. The apparatus and the pre-filter unit may be contained within a common packaging container. The pre-filter conduit may also be contained with the common packaging container. The common packaging container may comprise a box. In an arrangement, each of the apparatus and the pre-filter unit may be sterilized and disposed within a hermetic enclosure. The pre-filter unit may be or have features as described for a pre-filter unit in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

An eighth aspect of the invention is provided by a uses, or methods of using, the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention.

A use, or method of using, may be for processing human biological material comprising adipose. A use, or method of using, may be for preparation of a fat graft. A use, or method of using, may be for preparation of a stromal vascular fraction concentrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a tissue collection and processing apparatus100of a design designated for convenience as “Design A”.FIG. 2shows the same apparatus100as inFIG. 1, but illustrated in an exploded view of some of the components. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus100has a mesh bag filter102disposed within an internal containment volume of a container. The container is comprised of a rigid shell104and a rigid top106. The top106is sealed to the top of the shell104. The shell104may be made, for example, from a transparent plastic composition. The lid106may be made, for example, from a plastic composition. Disposed at the bottom of the shell104is a collection chamber108and an extraction port110. The extraction port110comprises a sealing mechanism that is manipulable to extract material from inside the collection chamber108. The sealing mechanism may, for example, comprise a silicon rubber septum or diaphragm that may be penetrable by a hypodermic needle to extract material, or may comprise a valve.

The mesh filter bag102divides and separates the internal containment volume of the container into a tissue retention volume112disposed inside the mesh filter bag102, and a filtrate volume113disposed within the shell104on the outside of the mesh filter bag102. The filtrate volume113is that portion of the internal containment volume into which filtrate enters after passing through the mesh filter bag102from the tissue retention volume112.

An inlet port114in fluid communication with the tissue retention volume112through the top106is configured for introducing adipose tissue directly into the tissue retention volume during a lipoplasty procedure, such as for example through a tissue transport conduit that may be attached to the inlet port114to conduit tissue from a patient during such a procedure. An additional access port116in fluid communication through the top106with the tissue retention volume112provides an additional route for introducing material into or removing material from the tissue retention volume112. A suction port118is in fluid communication through the top106with the filtrate volume113via a conduit120extending from the suction port118to the vicinity of the top of the collection chamber108. The suction port118is configured for connection to a vacuum system, for example through connection of a suction conduit through which suction may be applied by a vacuum system to suction from the filtrate volume material passing through the mesh filter bag102from the tissue retention volume112into the filtrate volume113. The shell104has a tapered wall portion122that defines a tapered portion of the internal containment volume, such that the cross-sectional area of the tapered portion of the internal containment volume tapers with a reducing cross-sectional area in a direction toward the collection chamber108. By tapering, it means that the cross-sectional area in a horizontal plane (assuming the apparatus100is in an upright position as shown inFIG. 1) becomes smaller in a continuous manner in the direction of the taper (e.g., a direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane). The collection chamber108comprises a cylindrical volume located immediately below the tapered portion of the internal containment volume. The cross-sectional area of the internal containment volume at the bottom of the tapered portion122approaches that of the cross-sectional area of the collection chamber108. “Collection chamber108” is used to refer both to the downwardly extending cylindrically-walled portion of the shell body104and the cylindrical portion of the filtrate volume disposed therein.

The shell104includes a base portion123configured to support the apparatus100in the upright position as shown inFIG. 1, for example when the apparatus is resting on top of a hard flat surface, such as a table or shelf. For convenience, the side of the container adjacent the top106is referred to as the top side of the container and the side of the container adjacent the extraction port110is referred to as the bottom side of the container.

The apparatus100comprises mixers124that have agitator arms126that are rotatable to help mix contents within the internal containment volume, and in particular within the tissue retention volume112. The mixers124may be driven by electrical power to rotate the agitator arms126, which power may be supplied, for example, by an external electrical power source or by batteries disposed within the body of the mixers124or elsewhere in the apparatus100.

The apparatus100includes a retractable handle128to facilitate suspending the apparatus100or for grasping and holding the apparatus100by hand. As shown inFIG. 1, the handle128is in an extended position for use to grasp or suspend the apparatus100.FIG. 2shows the handle128in a retracted position that is conveniently out of the way so that the handle128does not interfere with access to the inlet port114, the access port116or the suction port118during use of the apparatus100.

The apparatus100is designed to be portable, and is preferably portable by someone grasping the handle128and picking up the apparatus100by the handle128by hand, preferably by using a single hand, to facilitate ready transport of the apparatus100, either while the internal containment volume is empty or with human tissue or components thereof disposed within the internal containment volume.

FIGS. 3-5illustrate a tissue collection and processing apparatus140of a design designated for convenience as “Design B”. The apparatus140ofFIGS. 3-5has a container with a non-self-supporting wall structure, as described further below, and is shown inFIGS. 3-5in combination with a rigid mounting structure142on which the apparatus140may be mounted to accommodate the non-self-supporting wall structure, for example, when the apparatus140is being used for collection of tissue during a lipoplasty procedure or at other times when it is desired to provide support to the apparatus140. The features of the apparatus140are best seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, where features of the apparatus140are shown separated from the rigid mounting structure142.

With continued reference toFIGS. 3-5, the apparatus140has a container formed by a rigid top144and a flexible containment bag146that is sealed to and suspended from the top144. Inside the container is an internal containment volume that is separated into a tissue retention volume148and a filtrate volume150by a mesh filter bag152. Disposed at the bottom of the filtrate volume is a collection chamber154. Access to the collection chamber154is provided through an extraction port156having a sealing mechanism that is manipulable to extract material from the collection chamber154. The apparatus140has an inlet port158in fluid communication with the tissue retention volume148, an access port160also in communication with the tissue retention volume148, and a suction port162in fluid communication with the filtrate volume150via a conduit164extending to the vicinity of the top of the collection chamber154. The containment bag146, in a fully extended and operational configuration as shown inFIGS. 3-5has a tapered wall portion166corresponding with a tapered portion of the internal containment volume, wherein the cross-sectional area of the internal containment volume is tapered to reduce in size toward the top of the collection chamber154. A retractable handle168facilitates suspension and hand grasping of the apparatus140.

The top144, mesh filter bag152, collection chamber154, extraction port156, inlet port158, access port160, suction port162, conduit164, and handle168as shown for the apparatus140ofFIGS. 3-5may, for example, be of the same or similar design as the top106, mesh bag filter102, collection chamber108, extraction port110, inlet port114, access port116, suction port118, conduit120and handle128of the apparatus100shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and described above.

A difference between the Design A of the apparatus100shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and the Design B of the apparatus140shown inFIGS. 3-5is that the container of the apparatus140shown inFIGS. 3-5is defined below the top144by the containment bag146, whereas the apparatus100shown inFIGS. 1 and 2has a containment volume defined below the top106by the walls of the rigid shell104. The containment bag146of the apparatus140shown inFIGS. 2-5provides a less expensive alternative for providing the desired containment volume, which may be important especially when the device is designed for a single use application. However, because the walls of the containment bag146are not self-supporting, and because the containment bag146would be more fragile than the rigid shell104, the rigid mounting structure142may be provided both to support the apparatus140and to provide protection to the walls of the containment bag146during at least some uses of the apparatus140. The design for the rigid mounting structure142shown inFIGS. 3-5has a shape and design similar to the rigid shell104shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, but the rigid mounting structure142is not a part of the apparatus140, but rather is an auxiliary device that may be used in combination with the apparatus140.

The containment bag146may be made, for example, from a vinyl or other flexible plastic material. The shell142may be made, for example, from a rigid plastic composition such as may be used for the rigid shell104ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The apparatus140is shown inFIGS. 3-5is not fitted with internal mixers corresponding with the mixers124of the apparatus100as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. However, if desired, the same or other mixer devices could be incorporated into the design of the apparatus140ofFIGS. 3-5.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 6 and 7showing a tissue collection and processing system200including the tissue collection and processing apparatus100of Design A with an inlet port fluidly connected to a tissue conduit204. A suction port of the apparatus100is fluidly connected with a canister206via a suction conduit208. The canister206is fluidly connected with a vacuum system (not shown) through a conduit210. For illustration purposes, the apparatus100is of a type of Design A. However the apparatus of Design B or of any other design could be used in such a tissue collection and processing system. During operation of the tissue collection and processing system200, the tissue conduit204is conducting adipose tissue to the inlet port of the apparatus100for introduction of the adipose tissue into the tissue retention volume of the apparatus100. Suction is applied to the filtrate volume within the apparatus100by the vacuum system through the conduit210, the canister206and the suction conduit208to remove by suction from the filtrate volume material separating from the adipose tissue in the tissue retention volume of the apparatus100and passing through the filter and into the filtrate volume of the apparatus100. Such material suctioned from the filtrate volume through the suction conduit208may then be collected in the canister206. The canister206may be a waste canister and the collected material may be waste for appropriate disposal. For example, red blood cells may separate from adipose tissue during collection of the adipose tissue in the apparatus100and such red blood cells passing through the filter will be removed from the filtrate volume of the apparatus100by suction via the suction conduit208.

In a method for processing tissue from a lipoplasty procedure, the tissue may be processed within a containment volume of a portable tissue collection and processing apparatus to prepare within the apparatus a concentrated product comprising at least one target component, or at least one target material, from the tissue. The apparatus has a filter and a container having an internal containment volume, wherein the internal containment volume comprises a tissue retention volume and a filtrate volume separated by the filter. The apparatus may, for example, be a tissue collection and processing apparatus of the Design A, Design B or some other appropriate design. The method may comprise: washing tissue in the containment volume with a wash liquid; after the washing, digesting tissue within the containment volume; and after the digestion, centrifuging the apparatus to prepare in the filtrate volume a concentrate product comprising at least one target component. For example the concentrate product may comprise, or may consist essentially of, stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue, and a target component may be or comprise stem cells from adipose tissue. The method may also comprise one or more steps in addition to the washing, digesting and centrifuging. For example such an additional step may occur prior to the washing, between the washing and digesting, between the digesting and centrifuging or after the centrifuging.

During the washing, the wash liquid may be added to the containment volume to contact tissue within the tissue retention volume and with at least a portion, preferably a majority, and more preferably most, of the wash liquid passing through the filter into the filtrate volume. The wash liquid may wash one or more component from the tissue while retaining washed tissue in the tissue retention volume. The washed tissue may be retained in the tissue retention volume by the filter. Wash liquid passing into the filtrate volume may be removed from the filtrate volume, along with any component or components washed from the tissue. After adding the wash liquid, an optional step of centrifuging the apparatus may be performed. Such centrifuging may facilitate a high degree of separation of the wash liquid from the tissue retained in the tissue retention volume. Next, the wash liquid may be removed from the filtrate volume, for example by being suctioned through a suction port of the apparatus or by removal through an extraction port of the apparatus. The wash liquid may be an aqueous liquid, and may be or comprise a saline solution, for example a phosphate buffer solution. To ensure thorough washing of the tissue, the washing may include multiple wash stages, with each stage comprising adding wash liquid to the containment volume to contact tissue within the tissue retention volume and removing wash liquid from the filtrate volume.

During the digestion, an enzyme, such as for example collagenase, is added to the containment volume to contact at least a portion, preferably a majority of, and more preferably all or substantially all of the washed tissue, within the tissue retention volume. The enzyme should be of a type capable of breaking down at least a portion of the washed tissue to an extent to release a target component, or material, in a form capable of passing through the filter and into the filtrate volume. After adding the enzyme, the digesting may comprise agitating contents of the containment volume of the apparatus for a time and at a temperature sufficient for the digestion to proceed to an extent to significantly release the target component, or material, in the desired form capable of passing through the filter. The agitating may involve any method to agitate contents of the containment volume, including for example one or both of: (a) shaking the apparatus to agitate the contents within the apparatus and (b) mixing the contents within the apparatus, such as with one or more mixing device disposed within the containment volume and preferably disposed within the tissue retention volume. Shaking the apparatus may be accomplished by mounting the apparatus on a shaker, and preferably a warmer-shaker with a temperature control feature so that the apparatus and its contents may be maintained at a controlled temperature, such as at or approximately at human body temperature.

Post-digestion centrifuging promotes separation of the target component from the digested tissue and passage of the target component through the filter for collection in the filtrate volume, such as for example to collect within a collection chamber at the bottom of the apparatus, for example a collection chamber such as shown inFIG. 1orFIG. 2. The centrifuging causes a concentrate product to collect in the filtrate volume, and preferably in such a collection chamber. Multiple material phases may collect within the filtrate volume, one or more of which or one or more portions of which, may comprise the desired concentrate product containing a target component.

Before the washing, the method may comprise collecting the tissue in the internal containment volume of the apparatus. The collecting may comprise conducting adipose tissue removed from a patient during a lipoplasty procedure into the tissue retention volume through a tissue conduit fluidly connected with the apparatus during the lipoplasty procedure. Such collection may be performed, for example, using a tissue collection and processing system such as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. During the collecting, fluid separating from the adipose tissue and passing through the filter into the filtrate volume may be immediately removed from the filtrate volume by suctioning the fluid from the filtrate volume and out of the apparatus, for example to a collection canister such as that shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

The method may comprise, after the centrifuging, removing the concentrate product from the filtrate volume of the apparatus. The concentrate product may, for example, be removed from an apparatus such as those illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2from the collection chamber at the bottom of the filtrate volume through the extraction port with manipulation of the sealing mechanism. During the removing, the concentrate product may be removed to and collected in the barrel of a syringe, or in the barrels of multiple syringes. The removing may include selectively removing the concentrate product from the filtrate volume, to isolate the concentrate product from other material that may have collected in the filtrate volume during the centrifuging. To assist removing the concentrate product, the concentrate product may be diluted with a dilution liquid to put the concentrated product in a dilute form that is easier to remove from the filtrate volume. The dilution liquid may be an aqueous liquid. The dilution liquid may be a saline solution, for example a phosphate buffer solution. Such dilution of the concentrate product may be particularly useful in the situation where the concentrate product collects in the form of a relatively hard pellet in the filtrate volume, which may be the case for collection of stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue. Selective removal of the concentrate product may include separating a material phase comprising the concentrate product from one or more other material phase that collects in the filtrate volume. For example, a stromal vascular fraction may be a middle density phase, with a more dense phase and a less dense phase disposed on either side of the stromal vascular fraction. The more dense phase, which may collect at the bottom of a collection chamber in the apparatus, may be rich in red blood cells. Selective removal of the stromal vascular fraction may include first removing this red blood cell phase from the collection chamber (e.g., into a syringe) and then removing the stromal vascular fraction from the collection chamber (e.g., into a different syringe).

The apparatus used with the method for processing tissue may be portable and versatile, such as for example is the case with the apparatus of Design A or Design B. The method may include transporting the apparatus, and tissue contained therein, between locations where different procedures are performed. For example, the apparatus may be located at one location where collecting tissue is performed, while the washing and/or digesting may be performed at a different location. In one implementation, the containment volume comprising tissue may be sealed following one procedure and the apparatus with the sealed containment volume may be transported to a different location for performance of a subsequent procedure. With the apparatus of Design A or Design B as described previously, the apparatus may be sealed by capping the inlet port, access port and suction port with sealing caps.

To further illustrate various features of the method for processing tissue, and apparatus, assemblies and systems that may be used during the method, reference is now made toFIGS. 8-21.

FIGS. 8 and 9show the apparatus100of Design A (FIG. 8) and the apparatus140of Design B (FIG. 9) during a tissue collecting operation. During tissue collection, adipose tissue from a lipoplasty procedure, which may be referred to as lipoasperate, is received in the tissue retention volume112or148.FIGS. 8 and 9show material224or226that separate from lipoasperate, pass through the filter102or152and collect in the respective filtrate volume113or150, while tissue220or222is retained in the respective tissue retention volume112or148. The material224or226collecting in the respective filtrate volume113or150may be continuously or intermittently removed from the filtrate volume113or150by suction through the respective suction port118or162and the respective conduit120or164.

FIG. 10shows an example of the apparatus140of Design B following tissue collection with the inlet port158and the suction port162sealed by sealing caps230. The access port160is left open for access into the tissue retention volume to remove materials from or to add materials to the tissue retention volume. For example, a light oil phase that may develop on top of the collected tissue may be removed through the access port160. As another example, wash liquid may be added through access port160for washing collected tissue.

FIGS. 11,12and13each shows two of the apparatus100of Design A (FIG. 11) or two of the apparatus140of Design B (FIG. 12andFIG. 13) being loaded into centrifuge buckets240of a two-bucket centrifuge rotor and bucket assembly242of a centrifuge244. As shown inFIG. 12, the apparatus140of Design B is being loaded into the centrifuge while it remains mounted in the rigid mounting structure142, while inFIG. 13the apparatus140of Design B is shown being loaded into the centrifuge buckets240in the absence of such a rigid mounting structure. Such centrifuging may be performed for example as an option as part of a washing operation to help separate wash liquid from tissue or during the centrifuging step after digestion for collection of the concentrate product in the filtrate volume.

FIG. 14shows two of the apparatus100of Design A received in the centrifuge buckets240of the two-bucket rotor and bucket assembly242of centrifuge244while the centrifuge240is operating to spin the assembly242to centrifuge the apparatus100during a centrifuging operation.

FIGS. 15 and 16show the apparatus100of Design A suspended by the handle128following optional centrifuging of a washing operation and prior to digesting with a hypodermic needle250inserted through a sealing mechanism252in the extraction port110for removal of infranatant (e.g., dirty wash liquid) from the filtrate volume113and into the barrel of a syringe254.

FIG. 17shows the apparatus100of Design A following optional centrifuging of a washing operation and prior to digestion, in which infranatant (e.g., dirty wash liquid) is being removed from the filtrate volume113via a suction tube260inserted through the suction port118and the conduit120into the filtrate volume113, with the material removed from the filtrate volume113being collected within the barrel of a syringe262.

FIGS. 18 and 19show the apparatus100of Design A (FIG. 18) and the apparatus140of Design B (FIG. 19) being mounted on a warmer-shaker270for controlled temperature agitation of the contents of the respective apparatus100or140, such as may be performed during a digestion operation after adding an enzyme to the internal containment volume. In the case of the apparatus100of Design A, the mixers within the internal containment volume may be operated during the shaking operation to assist agitation in addition to the shaking provided by the warmer-shaker270. With the apparatus140of Design B, the apparatus140may be agitated in the absence of a rigid mounting structure142. To assist agitation that may be provided by the shaking motion of the warmer-shaker, the warmer-shaker may also include paddles that operate against flexible walls of the containment bag146.

FIG. 20shows two of the apparatus100of Design A received in the centrifuged244for centrifuging, as may be optionally performed during a washing operation or as may be performed during the centrifuging following digestion.

FIG. 21shows the apparatus140of Design B suspended from the handle168and with a concentrate product being selectively removed from the collection chamber154through a sealing mechanism in the extraction port156through a hypodermic needle288into the barrel of a syringe290. For example, the concentrate product being selectively removed as shown inFIG. 21may be a stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue.

FIG. 22shows an apparatus300for collection of tissue comprising adipose removed from a patient during a lipoplasty procedure and for post-collection processing of collected tissue. The apparatus300is illustrated in a collection orientation. The collection orientation is the orientation in which the apparatus300may be placed during the collection of adipose removed from a patient during a lipoplasty procedure. The apparatus300may also be placed in the collection orientation during stages of the post-collection processing of collected tissue as described below. Accordingly, subsequent references herein to the orientation of the apparatus300, such as top, bottom, lower and upper, will refer to the collection orientation ofFIG. 22. As illustrated, the apparatus300has an apparatus height HA, an apparatus length L, and an apparatus depth (or width) D. The apparatus300also include a suction port302and an inlet port304. The suction port302and inlet port304are disposed on the top of the apparatus300when the apparatus300is in the collection orientation as illustrated inFIG. 22. InFIG. 22, and in certain other subsequent figures, the ports are illustrated as having caps328thereon. Such caps328are used to cover the various ports and may be removed and replaced as necessary during use of the apparatus300.

The apparatus300includes a shell306and a lid308. The shell306is a unitary bowl-like member where the only access into the interior, or cavity of the shell306is through the opening at the top of the shell306. As illustrated inFIG. 22, this opening at the top of the shell306may be covered by the lid308. The lid308and shell306may be rigid. The lid308and shell306are each preferably made of a clear polymeric material, such as a clarified polypropylene polymer composition, which provides low cellular adhesion and reasonable clarity. The lid308and shell306may be fabricated by injection molding. The lid308may be attached to the shell306in any appropriate manner, including snapping, clamping and/or gluing onto the shell306. Together, the shell306and lid308form a container322with an internal containment volume330(seeFIG. 26and accompanying discussion below) within the apparatus300. The internal containment volume330is the volume within the cavity of the shell306covered by the lid308, and is the volume available for disposing both hardware and material to be processed in the container322. This container322may have a container height HC. The shell306may include a set of integral base supports310that may support the apparatus300in the collection orientation when the apparatus300is placed on a horizontal surface. The apparatus height HAis larger than the container height HCby the distance of projections above the top of the container322for the inlet port304, suction port302, caps328and other upward projecting features described below. The shell306may be conveniently designed to efficiently fit within a centrifuge bucket. The projections above the container height HCmay be configured so as not to interfere with operation of such a centrifuge. As seen inFIG. 22, the apparatus length L is equal to the container length and the apparatus depth is equal to the container depth (or width). As will be appreciated, the corresponding height, length and depth dimensions of the internal containment volume330will equal the height, length and depth dimensions of the container322less the corresponding thicknesses of walls of the shell306and lid308. As shown inFIG. 22, some features may be integrally formed with the lid308. For example as shown inFIG. 22the suction port302and the inlet port304are integrally formed as a unitary fabricated piece with the lid308. It should be appreciated that such features may be provided as separate pieces and then assembled, such as by gluing or other means. For structural integrity, fabrication as a unitary piece is generally preferred.

FIG. 23shows another perspective view of the apparatus300with the caps328to ports removed and with an installed handle382.FIG. 24shows the apparatus300in the same orientation as inFIG. 23with the shell306and handle382removed. With the shell306removed, a filter312can be seen that is disposed within the internal containment volume330. The filter312may have a separation size in a range from 70 microns to 400 microns. The filter is preferably made of a mesh material. The preferred mesh material is a nylon mesh. Also visible within the internal containment volume330is a suction port conduit314extending downward from the suction port302. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 24, all components of the apparatus300, except for the shell306, are interconnected to the lid308. In this regard, the subassembly shown inFIG. 24may be assembled as shown and inserted into the shell306.

FIG. 25shows another perspective view of the apparatus300.FIG. 25shows the apparatus300in the same orientation as inFIG. 24with both the shell306and the filter312removed. With the filter312removed, a flow barrier skirt324extending downward from the lid308into the internal containment volume330is visible. In an example, the flow barrier skirt324may extend between 5 mm and 50 mm downward from the lid308. The flow barrier skirt324may serve as an attachment point for the filter308such that the filter312may be fixed relative to the lid308. The flow barrier skirt324may also serve to prevent material from entering a tissue retention volume332(described below) and immediately moving through the filter312into the filtrate volume334. The tissue retention volume332is that portion of the internal containment volume330contained within the filter312and barrier skirt324below the lid308. The filtrate volume334is that portion of the internal containment volume330disposed outside of the filter312and barrier skirt324. With the flow barrier skirt324in place, and material entering the inlet port304must at least move to below the lowest level of the flow barrier skirt324before it is able to pass through the filter312into the filtrate volume334. The flow barrier skirt324may be part of a filter subassembly that includes the flow barrier skirt324and the filter312. This subassembly is mounted to the lid308with four screws326.

The filter312is asymmetric with respect to the lid308and shell306in that it is configured to provide clearance between its left side (as viewed inFIG. 24) and the shell306for the suction port302and suction port conduit314. A portion of the filter312may be disposed about (e.g., rest on or around) a portion of the suction port conduit314.

With the filter312removed (FIG. 25), a mixing device316can be seen. The mixing device316includes a rotatable shaft318and a set of mixing members320. The axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft318may be through a central axis of the rotatable shaft318. The mixing members320are in the form of paddles extending outward from the rotatable shaft318. Accordingly, when the rotatable shaft318is rotated, the mixing members320will be rotated through the materials within the tissue retention volume332to aid in mixing the materials within the internal containment volume330, and in particular within the tissue retention volume332. The rotatable shaft318extends from outside of the internal containment volume330through the lid308to the inside of the internal containment volume330. As the rotatable shaft318is rotatable relative to the lid308, the mixing members320fixed to the rotatable shaft318are also rotatable relative to the lid308. The rotatable shaft318may be made from a metal composition, such as stainless steel (e.g., grade303,304, or316). Alternatively, the rotatable shaft318may be made from a high-strength polymer composition such as an Ultem™ resin product.

The rotatable shaft318may include a handle interface380(FIG. 24) that may provide an interface for the handle382(FIG. 23) to be interconnected to the portion of the rotatable shaft318outside of the internal containment volume330. The handle interface380ofFIG. 24is in the form of a pair of parallel surfaces disposed about the portion of the rotatable shaft318outside of the internal containment volume330. The handle382has a mating pair of interior parallel surfaces configured such that when the handle382is placed over the handle interface380, turning the handle382will result in turning the rotatable shaft318and the mixing device316. Such an interface380also allows for the handle382to be removed from and replaced on the handle interface380as needed during use of the apparatus300.

FIG. 26is a side schematic view of the apparatus300showing the mixing device316and filter312within the shell306. The internal containment volume330is the entire volume within the shell306and under the lid308. Together, the portions of the shell306and lid308that contain the internal containment volume330are a container322of the apparatus300. The filter312divides and separates the internal containment volume330of the container322into the tissue retention volume332disposed inside the filter312, and a filtrate volume334disposed within the shell306on the outside of the filter312. The filtrate volume334is that portion of the internal containment volume330into which filtrate enters after passing through the filter312from the tissue retention volume332.

Disposed within the internal containment volume330at the bottom of the shell306, below a level350that is at or below the lowest extent of the filter312(and therefore also below the lowest extent of the tissue retention volume332), is a collection volume336, such that the collection volume336occupies the lowermost portion of the filtrate volume334located below the lowest elevation of the tissue retention volume332.

The shell306has a tapered wall portion338that defines a tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330, such that the cross-sectional area of the tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330tapers with a reducing cross-sectional area in a direction toward bottom of the container322. By tapering, it means that the cross-sectional area in a horizontal plane (assuming the apparatus300is in the collection orientation) becomes smaller in the direction of the taper (e.g., a direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane). The tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330occupies the portion of the internal containment volume330below a level352where the tapered wall portion338meets a straight wall portion342of the shell306. The tapered wall portion338is shown as having a flat, uniform inclined wall surface. The incline angle of surfaces of the tapered wall portion need not be uniform from the top to the bottom of the tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330, and may vary from top to bottom with portions with different incline angles, and may have a curved surface, provided that the cross-section area is reducing in the direction of the taper. Also, the tapered wall portion338need not be uniform around the perimeter of the tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330. For example, in the embodiment inFIGS. 24-26, the tapered wall portion338has a steeper incline on the ends than on the front or back of the apparatus300.

The shell306may comprise an upper portion344shown above a level354and having a first wall surface portion348defining a corresponding upper portion368of the internal containment volume330. Substantially all of the first wall surface portion348may have an incline relative to horizontal of at least 75°. For example, substantially all of the first wall surface portion348may be substantially vertical (90° incline relative to horizontal). The shell306may include a lower portion346located below the upper portion344and having a second wall surface portion358defining a corresponding lower portion360of the internal containment volume330. The lower portion360may include the tapered wall portion338defining the tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330. Substantially all of the tapered wall portion338may preferably have an incline relative to horizontal in a range of from 30° to 60°, although other angles or curved surfaces may be used. The tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330may occupy substantially the entire lower portion360of the internal containment volume330. At least a first portion362of the filter312may be disposed in the upper portion368of the internal containment volume330and a second portion364of the filter312may be disposed in the lower portion360of the internal containment volume330. The tapered wall portion338may form a nadir384at its lowest elevation. The nadir384may also be a nadir of the collection volume336, the filtrate volume334, the container322, and the internal containment volume330.

The internal containment volume330may include an available processing volume or “useable” volume366which may be the portion of the internal containment volume330that is usable and/or may normally be occupied by materials within the container322during normal use. For example, the available processing volume366may be the portion of the internal containment volume330below a level356that coincides with the bottom extension of a port through the lid308(such as a second suction port370discussed below, seeFIG. 22) and that is not occupied by portions (e.g., internal hardware) of the apparatus300within the internal containment volume330, such as the mixing device316, barrier skirt324, filter312and suction port conduit314. The top of the available processing volume may be at the elevation of the bottom extension of the inlet port304, which may define a maximum fill level within the internal containment volume330.

The inlet port304in fluid communication with the tissue retention volume332through the lid308is configured for introducing tissue comprising adipose directly into the tissue retention volume332during a lipoplasty procedure. However, use of the apparatus300is not so limited, and the tissue may be introduced into the apparatus using tissue previously collected in another container and transferred to the apparatus300. An additional access port372in fluid communication through the lid308with the tissue retention volume332provides an additional route into the tissue retention volume332, for example for introduction of additives.

The suction port302is in fluid communication through the lid308with the filtrate volume334via suction port conduit314extending from the suction port302to within the tapered portion340of the internal containment volume330in the vicinity of the top of the collection volume336. The suction port302is configured for connection to a vacuum system, for example through connection of a suction conduit through which suction may be applied by a vacuum system to suction from the filtrate volume334material passing through the filter312from the tissue retention volume332into the filtrate volume334.

Turning toFIGS. 27 and 28, the rotatable shaft318may include a filter contact member376that is offset from an axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft318. A lower end of the filter contact member376may contact a portion of the filter312as illustrated inFIG. 26. As the rotatable shaft318is rotated, the filter contact member376may rotate in a circular path about the axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft318remaining in contact with and moving along a portion of the filter312. This contact may cause the filter312to deform and such deformation and/or the contact between the filter contact member376and filter312may cause materials that may have adhered to the filter312in this region to become dislodged from the filter312. Thus, the filter contact member376may assist in keeping the filter from clogging and increasing the effectiveness of the filter312.

The rotatable shaft318may include a lumen374therethrough. The top of the lumen374is visible inFIG. 24and the bottom of the lumen374is visible inFIG. 28. The lumen374may have a distal end386(FIG. 28) within the tissue retention volume332and a proximal end388(FIG. 24) outside of the internal containment volume330and thus may allow access to the tissue retention volume332therethrough. The lumen374may be disposed along the central axis of the rotatable shaft318. The lumen374thus provides a conduit for accessing the internal containment volume330. As further described below, the lumen374may provide access for removing processed material from the internal containment volume330. In that respect, the opening through the lid308through which the rotatable shaft308extends acts as an extraction port through which access is provided via the lumen374that passes through such opening. The apparatus300may include a plug378, shown inFIG. 25and not shown inFIG. 24that may be placed in the proximal end388of lumen374to seal the lumen374.

As illustrated inFIGS. 27 and 28, the apparatus300may include an optional barrier member390(shown inFIG. 27, absent fromFIG. 28). The barrier member390may be secured to the mixing device316via two screws391or by any other appropriate means such as snaps or by being molded integrally with the mixing members320.

As shown inFIG. 29, in configurations where the barrier member390is not present, a hypodermic needle392may be inserted through the lumen374and may be advanced out of the distal end386of the lumen374and to pierce through the filter312to directly access the collection volume336(the volume under the line410inFIG. 29). Thus, without the barrier member390present, the hypodermic needle392may be used to inject material into, or remove material from the collection volume336. Additionally, as the axis of the lumen374is vertically oriented, access to the collection volume336using the hypodermic needle392is by downward vertical insertion into the lumen374from above the container. Such vertical insertion coupled with the ability of the apparatus300to be placed on a flat surface in the collection orientation, allows for user-friendly access to the collection volume336, and helps avoid complications that could compromise operations to collect valuable processed material from the collection volume336.

The hypodermic needle392may be interconnected to a syringe394. The proximal end388of the lumen374may include a tapered receptacle adapted to mate with a tapered tip of the syringe394. In this regard, as shown inFIG. 29, the depth of penetration by the hypodermic needle392into the collection volume336when the tapered tip of the syringe394is in contact with the tapered receptacle of the lumen374may be controlled by controlling the length of the hypodermic needle392extending from the syringe394. Additionally, the proximal end388of the lumen374may include a feature, such as a notch, to retain an o-ring (not shown) such that when the syringe394is positioned against the proximal end388of the lumen374, the o-ring forms a seal between the proximal end388of the lumen374and the syringe394(i.e., a seal through the o-ring between a wall surface in the tapered receptacle and an exterior wall surface of the tip of the syringe inserted into the tapered receptacle).

In configurations where the barrier member390is present, as shown inFIGS. 25 and 27, direct access from the lumen374to the collection volume336is prevented. Furthermore, the distance between the barrier member390and the distal end386of the lumen374may be selected to achieve a desired flow restriction through a gap between the distal end386of the lumen374and the barrier member390. For example, the distance between the barrier member390and the distal end386of the lumen374may be between one and five millimeters. Such a distance may be beneficial when the apparatus300is employed to perform a fat graft and the lumen374is used to remove tissue from the tissue retention volume332. By maintaining an appropriate standoff between the barrier member390and the distal end386of the lumen374, and by configuring the barrier member with an appropriate areal extension beyond the perimeter of the opening of the distal end376of the lumen374(e.g., the barrier member390is a large enough plate), potential for flow short-circuiting to draw in air or other fluid through the filter312from the filtrate volume334may be significantly reduced or avoided when processed material (e.g., for a fat graft) is extracted by suction through the lumen374into the syringe379.

Turning toFIGS. 30A and 30B, the second suction port370includes a translatable member396that may be translated up and down relative to the lid308to vary the depth (elevation within the filtrate volume334) at which material from the filtrate volume334is drawn through the second suction port370. Examples of the various depths (elevations) at which the translatable member396may be positioned are illustrated inFIGS. 30A,32,33and35and are discussed below in relation to methods of using the apparatus300. The fit between the translatable member396and the opening through the lid308of the second suction port370is such that the translatable member396may be readily translated up and down to a desired level, while maintaining a tight enough fit to allow a vacuum applied to the translatable member396to adequately draw material out of the filtrate volume334.

As illustrated inFIG. 31, the apparatus300may include a pre-filter unit400fluidly connected to the inlet port304via a length of tubing402. The pre-filter unit400may comprise within a housing a pre-filter, which may be in the form of a mesh screen with openings, for example, preferably in a range of from 0.5 millimeter to 2 millimeters. The pre-filter unit400may be used to pre-filter tissue prior to introduction into the tissue retention volume332of the apparatus300. The tissue being pre-filtered may be supplied from a lipoplasty cannula used during a lipoplasty procedure. Moreover, the suction port302of the apparatus300may be fluidly connected with a canister206via a suction conduit208similar to as illustrated inFIG. 6.

In general, the parts discussed with reference to the apparatus300may be made from any appropriate biocompatible material. In particular, the shell306may be made from a biocompatible transparent polymer material to allow inspection of the contents therein. Screws326,391and the rotatable shaft318may be made from metal, such as stainless steel. Other parts of the assembly300pictured inFIG. 22may be made from appropriate biocompatible polymers.

Various exemplary dimensions of one specific nonlimiting example of an apparatus300will now be described with reference toFIGS. 22 and 26. In this example, the apparatus300has apparatus height HAof about 157 mm, an apparatus length L of about 145 millimeters, and an apparatus depth D of about 126 millimeters. The containment volume height HCis about 124 millimeters. The example has an available processing volume366of about 760 milliliters and a collection volume336of about 23 milliliters. The portion of the tissue retention volume332that coincides with the available processing volume366is about 580 milliliters.

In a method for processing tissue from lipoplasty procedure using the apparatus300, the tissue is processed within the internal containment volume330to prepare within the apparatus300a concentrated product comprising at least one target component, or at least one target material, from the tissue. For such a procedure, the barrier member390is not present within the apparatus300. Many features of the previously discussed methods may also be employed in the current method where appropriate. Such features include, inter alia, multiple washings, shaking, heating, and centrifuging as previously described. Returning to the present method, the tissue is introduced into the tissue retention volume332through the inlet port304. The tissue may be pre-filtered using pre-filter unit400prior to being introduced into the tissue retention volume332. The method may comprise washing tissue in the internal containment volume330with a wash liquid. Optionally, the washing may include centrifuging the apparatus300. After washing, the method may comprise digesting tissue within the internal containment volume330. After the digestion, the method may include centrifuging the apparatus300to prepare in the collection volume336a concentrate product comprising at least one target component. For example the concentrate product may comprise, or may consist essentially of, stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue, and a target component may be stem cells from adipose tissue.

During the washing, the wash liquid may be added to the internal containment volume330to contact tissue within the tissue retention volume332and with at least a portion, preferably a majority, and more preferably most, of the wash liquid passing through the filter312into the filtrate volume334. The addition of the tissue to the internal containment volume330may occur simultaneously with the wash liquid being removed from the filtrate volume334via vacuum applied to the suction port302. In this regard, a volume of tissue larger than the internal containment volume330may be introduced into the internal containment volume330during the performance of the method. Moreover, the removal of wash liquid may continue after the introduction of tissue into the internal containment volume330has stopped.

The wash liquid may wash one or more components from the tissue while retaining washed tissue in the tissue retention volume332. The washed tissue may be retained in the tissue retention volume332by the filter312. Wash liquid passing into the filtrate volume334may be removed from the filtrate volume334, along with any component or components washed from the tissue. Optionally, after adding the wash liquid, the apparatus300may be centrifuged to facilitate a high degree of separation of the wash liquid from the tissue retained in the tissue retention volume332. Next, the wash liquid may be removed from the filtrate volume334by suctioning through the suction port302of the apparatus300. The washing may include multiple wash stages. During the washing, the mixing device316may be rotated by rotating the handle382to assist in the washing process.

During the digestion, an enzyme, such as for example collagenase, may be added to the internal containment volume330through the additional access port372or through the inlet port304. During the digesting, the mixing device316may be rotated to assist in the digesting process.

After adding the enzyme, the digesting may comprise agitating contents of the containment volume of the apparatus300for a time and at a temperature sufficient for the digestion to proceed to an extent to significantly release the target component, or material, in the desired form capable of passing through the filter312. The agitating may involve any method to agitate contents of the internal containment volume330, including for example one or both of: (a) shaking the apparatus300to agitate the contents within the apparatus300and (b) mixing the contents within the apparatus300by rotating the mixing device316using the handle382.

Post-digestion centrifuging promotes separation of the target component from the digested tissue and passage of the target component through the filter312for collection in the collection volume336. The target component may include stem cells from adipose tissue. As illustrated inFIG. 32, multiple material phases may collect within the filtrate volume334. The first (bottom) material phase may be a layer of red blood cells428located in the region of the filtrate volume334below the line408. This volume below the line408occupies a bottom portion of the collection volume336. The second material phase may be a stromal vascular fraction layer430from adipose tissue and may be located in the region of the filtrate volume334below the line412and above the line408. As will be appreciated, the red blood cell layer428and the stromal vascular fraction layer may not be divided by a sharp line, and the blood cell layer428may grade into the lower portion of the stromal vascular fraction layer430. This volume below the line412and above the line408also occupies a portion of the collection volume336. A third material phase may be an aqueous layer432that occupies the region of the filtrate volume334below the line406and above the line412. A fourth material phase may be a disaggregated adipose layer434that occupies the region of the filtrate volume334below the line414and above the line406. A fifth material phase may be an oil layer436that occupies the region of the filtrate volume334below the line416and above the line414. The separated phase layers as shown are provided to illustrate relative positioning and are not intended to represent an actual scale of the relative sizes of the phases, except that the red blood cell layer428and stromal vascular fraction layer430are contained within the collection volume336and the other layers extend above the collection volume336.

The translatable member396of the second suction port370may be employed to first remove the oil layer436, then to remove the disaggregated adipose layer434, and then to remove the aqueous layer432. As illustrated inFIG. 32, the translatable member396may be positioned such that the end of the translatable member396is disposed within the oil layer436. Suction applied to the translatable member396will remove the As fluid is removed, the translatable member may be lowered to remove additional fluid down to a desired level, which may be removal of all or most of layers436,434and432. For example, once the oil layer436has been removed, the translatable member396may be lowered into the disaggregated adipose layer434and then the aqueous layer432for sequential removal of these layers.FIG. 33illustrates the aqueous layer432partially removed (after already removing the top layers436and434such that the top of the aqueous layer432is at line418). As another example, the translatable member396may be initially inserted to the position shown inFIG. 33and suction applied until a portion of the aqueous layer432is removed and also the disaggregated adipose layer434and oil layer436are removed above line418, resulting in the arrangement ofFIG. 33.

Once fully inserted into the filtrate volume334, the translatable member396may not be operable to remove a portion of the aqueous layer432while the apparatus300is in the collection orientation. Accordingly, a user may gently tilt the apparatus300as illustrated inFIG. 34to further remove the aqueous layer432. As illustrated, the stromal vascular fraction layer430below the line412may form a pellet which may retain its position as the apparatus300is tilted. This attribute of the pellet allows the apparatus300to be tilted such that the aqueous layer432flows toward the translatable member396disposed proximate to the interface between the tapered wall portion338of the shell306and the straight wall portion342of the shell306as illustrated by line420inFIG. 34. Such tilting can allow suction to be applied to the aqueous layer432without the suction substantially affecting the stromal vascular fraction layer430. Once the aqueous layer432has been satisfactorily removed, the apparatus300may be returned to its collection orientation, as shown inFIG. 35, for removal of the stromal vascular fraction layer430from the collection volume336.

Next, the hypodermic needle392may be inserted into the collection volume336as illustrated inFIG. 29and a diluent fluid may be injected into the collection volume336such that the diluent fluid, stromal vascular fraction layer430and the layer of red blood cells428together occupy at least a portion of the collection volume336under line410, and are preferably limited to the collection volume336and do not occupy space above line410. After injection of the diluent fluid, a user may gently tap the apparatus300against a hard surface to cause the diluent fluid to mix with the stromal vascular fraction and the layer of red blood cells. A second hypodermic needle may then be inserted through the lumen374and the diluent/stromal vascular fraction/red blood cell mixture may be removed from the apparatus300.

In a method for processing tissue from a lipoplasty procedure using the apparatus300, the tissue is collected into and processed within the internal containment volume330to prepare within the apparatus300a fat graft composition for reintroduction into a patient. For such a process, the barrier member390will be present within the apparatus300and positioned as shown inFIG. 25. The method may comprise collecting and washing adipose tissue in the internal containment volume330in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to the preparation of the stromal vascular fraction. The washing may or may not include optional centrifuging. In a variation, the apparatus300may be specifically configured such that it cannot be centrifuged using the type of centrifuge that the apparatus300is typically inserted into (e.g., the centrifuge244ofFIG. 20). Such incompatibility may be achieved, for example, by adding ribs or extensions to the lid308and/or shell306such that the apparatus300cannot fit into the centrifuge244. After washing the present method may include adding an additive to the washed tissue in the tissue retention volume332. The additive may be added through the additional access port372or through the inlet port304. The additive may comprise an active ingredient for delivery to the patient in a fat graft. The mixing device316may be rotated to assist in distributing the additive throughout the tissue within the tissue retention volume332.

Once the fat graft composition is prepared, it may be removed from the tissue retention volume332by applying suction to the proximal end of the lumen374. Such applied suction will pull the fat graft composition material through the lumen374and out of the tissue retention volume332. During such suction, the barrier member390, by being interposed between the distal end of the lumen374and the filter312will prevent the filter312from contacting the lumen374which could interfere with the contents of the tissue retention volume332being drawn into the lumen374. Moreover, by having the barrier member390a fixed predetermined distance from the distal end386of the lumen374, the material within the tissue retention volume332must flow through the restricted space between the barrier member390and the distal end386of the lumen374. The restricted space and areal extent of the barrier member may serve to limit the flow rate of material moving from the tissue retention volume332into the lumen374.

The foregoing discussion of the invention and different aspects thereof has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to only the form or forms specifically disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more possible implementations and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. Furthermore, any feature described or claimed with respect to any disclosed implementation may be combined in any combination with one or more of any other features of any other implementation or implementations, to the extent that the features are not necessarily technically compatible, and all such combinations are within the scope of the present invention.

The terms “comprising”, “containing”, “including” and “having”, and grammatical variations of those terms, are intended to be inclusive and nonlimiting in that the use of such terms indicates the presence of some condition or feature, but not to the exclusion of the presence also of any other condition or feature. The use of the terms “comprising”, “containing”, “including” and “having”, and grammatical variations of those terms in referring to the presence of one or more components, subcomponents or materials, also include and is intended to disclose the more specific embodiments in which the term “comprising”, “containing”, “including” or “having” (or the variation of such term) as the case may be, is replaced by any of the narrower terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” or “consisting of only” (or the appropriate grammatical variation of such narrower terms). For example, the a statement that some thing “comprises” a stated element or elements is also intended to include and disclose the more specific narrower embodiments of the thing “consisting essentially of” the stated element or elements, and the thing “consisting of” the stated element or elements. Examples of various features have been provided for purposes of illustration, and the terms “example”, “for example” and the like indicate illustrative examples that are not limiting and are not to be construed or interpreted as limiting a feature or features to any particular example. The term “at least” followed by a number (e.g., “at least one”) means that number or more than that number. The term at “at least a portion” means all or a portion that is less than all. The term “at least a part” means all or a part that is less than all.