Abstract:
An apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a suspension solution, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the suspension solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 to International Application No. PCT/AU2008/001643, filed on Nov. 5, 2008, which claims priority to Australian Application Serial No. 2007906048, filed Nov. 5, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a method of providing a promotional avenue for medical clinics by way of producing a personalized keepsake for their clients. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    In an effort to remember significant events in one&#39;s life, or in memory of particular persons, it is not uncommon for “keepsake” items to be retained. Various items or practices of this nature are known, such as keeping teeth, locks of hair or other personal effects. 
         [0004]    Providers of these keepsake items often embellish the item with names, dates or other information, or provide a surrounding such as a jewellery piece to contain or show off the item. 
         [0005]    From the point of view of a specialist business, provision of a keepsake of this kind may be considered a goodwill or promotional tool for a service offering. In the case of baby teeth, for example, a dental practitioner or other provider may actively promote the encapsulation or presentation of a first tooth as a special service, in order to attract business or simply differentiate the services of that outlet by developing goodwill with the client. 
         [0006]    The most common uses of human material as keepsakes naturally relate to hard tissues or external items such as hair and teeth. An extension of this, however, is the myriad of soft tissue routinely removed during clinical procedures, some of which may be considered extremely significant in the life of the patient. 
         [0007]    In the case of ophthalmic surgery, removal of a cataract can be a life-changing experience and one which can be perceived as bringing a patient “back to life” as sight is restored. Significantly for the primary embodiment of this product, restoring eyesight is extremely emotive for both patient and family/carers. 
         [0008]    From the point of the view of the ophthalmic surgery “industry”, cataract surgery has become extremely common and is considered routine day surgery, with volumes of procedures and consequently numbers of clinical providers large and increasing. Thus, a commercial pressure exists for clinics to secure more patients than their competitors, by way of clinical conditions or other offerings. 
         [0009]    Cataract surgery is commonly conducted via a procedure call phacoemulsification, whereby the patient&#39;s clouded lens is broken up and removed via a tube through a small incision in the eye. The lens material is broken into small fragments by ultrasonic pulses and is ejected via suction into a containment cassette located within the operating machine. The cassettes accumulate the lens material and the fluid media used to irrigate the procedure, and the individual patient cassette is normally removed and discarded following the procedure. 
         [0010]    The phacoemulsification method has become the standard procedure for routine cataract surgery, and the cassette-type collection of fluid and lens material is common, though the exact configuration of the equipment and performance varies. Importantly, the ability remains, by way of removing a connection or other port, to access the material accumulated within the cassette for most, if not all types of phacoemulsification systems. 
         [0011]    It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
         [0013]    With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a solution, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the suspension solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the suspension solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the suspension solution. 
         [0014]    According to a second form, the invention resides in a phacoemulsification separation apparatus for recovery of suspended biological material from a solution formed during phacoemulsification, the apparatus including a suspension solution container to temporarily hold the solution, extraction means to apply extractive force to the container to extract the solution temporarily held therein and the filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the solution. 
         [0015]    According to a third form, the invention resides in a method for recovery of suspended biological material from a solution the method including the steps of a temporarily collecting the solution in a solution container, applying extractive force to the container to extract the solution temporarily held therein and filtering the solution through filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material from the solution. 
         [0016]    According to a fourth form, the invention resides in a method for creation of a keepsake or memento from biological material recovered following removal during a medical procedure, the method including the steps of collecting the biological material in a solution, temporarily collecting the solution in a solution container, applying extractive force to the container to extract the solution temporarily held therein and filtering the solution through filter means sized to separate the suspended biological material as a filtrate from the solution, removing the filtrate from the filter means into a container, filling of the container with a measured amount of stabilizer fluid, and capping the container to seal the container. 
         [0017]    In one form, the invention relates to an apparatus for recovery of a suspended biological material from a solution. Normally, a phacoemulsification procedure results in a collection of the biological material in an irrigation fluid. The fluid and biological material normally collected in a container, commonly known in the art as a cassette. The cassette is normally quite small, approximately the size of B5 stationery and is normally manufactured of a transparent plastic. The cassette has at least one opening in order to accept the collected material and irrigation fluid. 
         [0018]    Following the collection of the biological material during the phacoemulsification procedure, the cassette will preferably be removed to a controlled environment away from the patient, for the collection of the biological material. The cassette will preferably be considered as a primary collection vessel. 
         [0019]    The present invention includes extraction means. The extraction means is normally provided as a plurality of components and connected to perform the function. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, connection means will normally be provided to connect to the opening of the cassette through which the contents of the cassette can be removed. Normally, substantially all of the contents of the cassette are removed and the separation of the biological material from the remainder of the solution will be undertaken coincident with the removal from the cassette. Further, the biological material will normally be retained and the irrigation fluid will normally be wasted. 
         [0020]    The connection means preferably includes a shaped connector. The shaped connector will normally be provided in the form of a tapered stopper. A particularly preferred form of the tapered stopper is a frustoconical member with a central bore extending through the stopper from a larger circular face to a smaller circular face. Typically, the stopper will be manufactured from a resilient material in order to adapt the stopper to mate with openings of different dimension. The resilient material also typically creates an air/water proof seal between the stopper and the cassette opening. 
         [0021]    The degree to which the stopper is tapered and the resilience of the material used may vary. Preferably, the stopper will provide a simple and quick connection which is air/fluid tight and typically will not require special training in order to connect the stopper to the cassette. 
         [0022]    The extraction means also preferably includes a fluid conveyance tube. The fluid conveyance tube is preferably attached to the stopper, normally by insertion of at least a portion of the tube into the bore of the stopper. The fluid conveyance tube is also preferably associated with filter means. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the filter means is provided in an in-line configuration such that fluid extracted from the cassette must pass through the filter means. A preferred form of filter means is provided in a two-part housing including an upper and lower housing portion with the upper and lower housing portion designated with reference to the flow direction and the lower housing portion being downstream of the upper housing portion. 
         [0024]    Typically, each portion of the two-part housing is connectable to the other portion to allow separation. A threaded connection is preferred but is not the only type of connection which may be used. Grip means may be provided on one or both of the housing portions, preferably both. 
         [0025]    Each portion of the filter housing will typically be manufactured from a plastic material, preferably a transparent plastic to enable a user to monitor the filtration process. 
         [0026]    The filter housing will typically include a filter screen or similar. The filter screen is preferably convex to the flow direction. Normally, the filter screen will be attached peripherally to the lower portion of the filter housing. It is particularly preferred that an upper surface of the filter screen be easily accessible with minimal exposed edges, corners or recesses in which material can be caught during removal which may limit the amount of collected biological material. 
         [0027]    The openings in the filter screen will typically sized to separate the biological material particles large enough to be visible to the naked eye. Normally, the phacoemulsification procedure results in material similar in size to fine sand and with a density which is suitably low to enable gentle agitation of the cassette during the removal process to produce a relatively homogenous mixture of the biological particles and irrigation fluid. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the filter screen is a stainless steel screen having openings of approximately 0.4 mm in diameter. 
         [0029]    The filter will normally be connected in line with a fluid conveyance tube leading from the stopper to the upper portion and a second fluid conveyance tube leading from the lower portion of the filter for the waste irrigation fluid. 
         [0030]    Located downstream of the filter is preferably a waste outlet and also a means to apply extractive force to the cassette and its contents. The extractive force is normally applied through the use or application of a vacuum to the cassette although the cassette may alternatively be emptied by gravity draining for example or other similar process. The preferred means for applying the vacuum is a syringe or similar, preferably of approximately 30 mL in capacity. Other means may be used alternatively such as a plumbed vacuum, Venturi or similar. A common volume of the cassette used in the phacoemulsification procedure is between 50-200 mL and the irrigation liquid is normally a balanced salt solution. 
         [0031]    Typically, an in-line check valve or non-return valve is included between the filter and the means for applying extractive force to enable multiple extractions to remove and expel waste irrigation fluid from the cassette. Normally, the waste outlet is provided in the form of a waste tube connected downstream of the check valve or nonreturn valve but prior to the means for applying extractive force. Where a waste tube is provided, the free end of the waste tube may be weighted to ensure the directionality of the expelled stream. 
         [0032]    Once the cassette has been emptied (it is typically not necessary to extract all of the biological material of fluid, simply a suitable amount), the biological material will typically accumulate on the filter screen. The filter housing can then be opened to expose the collected material on the screen. The collected material can then be removed, normally scraped from the screen using an appropriate instrument. 
         [0033]    An example of an appropriate instrument is a spatula, preferably shaped to enable manipulation of the collected material into a secondary collection vessel. 
         [0034]    The preferred form of secondary collection vessel is typically jewellery or a wearable memento. A particularly preferred form is that of a vial with a cap or the closure. The vial is preferably a wearable vial such as a pendant, hearings, cufflinks or other. Whilst this embodiment relates to the collection of relatively small amounts of biological material, the method and apparatus of the present invention may be expanded to incorporate larger volumes of biological material into more substantial secondary collection vessels such as paper weights or other items. 
         [0035]    In order to more easily transfer the collected material into the secondary collection vessel, a funnel or similar will normally be provided or used according to the method. In use, the funnel is normally located in all relative to an opening of the secondary collection vessel. 
         [0036]    The cap or cover of the secondary collection vessel is preferably permanently attached to the vessel once the biological material (and any other material) has been inserted into the secondary collection vessel. The means or method of fixing the cap to the vessel may be any suitable means including using an engineered tolerance closure or a suitable fast acting adhesive or bonding agent. 
         [0037]    Normally, fluid will be added to the secondary collection vessel prior to sealing. Normally the fluid will stabilise the biological material and may also act to disperse the material within the vessel. A preferred form of fluid is an approximately 70% alcohol solution which also has an added benefit of a low vaporisation temperature thereby reducing the amount of residue should any spillage or overflow occur. The fluid may be added by any manner of application to the secondary collection vessel including from a bulk source or from a metered dose applicator such as a syringe, squirt bottle or the like. 
         [0038]    In order to maintain the simplicity and safety of the system, the secondary collection vessel may be temporarily housed or arranged such that handling or correct orientation of the vessel is not required during the transfer of the material. Preferably a handling fixture may be provided which may incorporate a broad base for stability and may be internally configured to align and retain a variety of forms of secondary collection vessel. Typically, the secondary collection vessel will be retained in an upright position by the handling fixture by provision of a corresponding shaped opening in the handling fixture. 
         [0039]    The handling fixture is preferably transparent is such that the secondary collection vessel (and other elements) are visible when located in the handling fixture. 
         [0040]    A preferred configuration of includes a lower portion to at least temporarily hold the secondary collection vessel. The lower portion also has a receiving opening and a shaped cavity internally configured to align and retain various forms of secondary collection vessel. 
         [0041]    At least one upper portion is provided and also includes a shaped receiving opening. The shaped opening in the at least one upper portion is internally configured to align and retain a cap for the secondary collection vessel. Preferably, there will be a pair of interchangeable upper portions, a first upper portion used in conjunction with the lower portion in order to insert material and fluid into the secondary collection vessel and a second upper portion used to cap the secondary collection vessel once the first upper portion has been removed from the lower portion. The upper and lower portions may have corresponding shaped means in order to positively align the upper and lower portions during use. 
         [0042]    In summary, the most preferred process following the separation of the biological material includes the steps of:
       Loading of the secondary collection vessel in the form of a pendant body to the handling fixture;   Application of the first upper portion, including the funnel member;   Depositing of biological material into pendant body, via the funnel;   Filling of the pendant body with a measured amount of stabilizer fluid   Removal of the first upper portion and funnel;   Fixing of the pendant cap onto the body;   Removal of the complete pendant; and   System cleaning and resetting.       
 
         [0051]    The elements described above may be supplied to the clinic facility in kit form, such that re-usable and consumable components may be organized and waste minimized. It is anticipated that the extraction and filter components, plus the orientation fixtures suited to the various jewellery formats are re-usable items, requiring only a general flush and clean between applications or periodically, and the jewelry components, such as a variety or pendant bodies and caps may be supplied in bulk form, for selection according to patient requirements. Enclosure elements (jewelry pieces or otherwise) may be designed to accommodate a modular assembly system, allowing customization of the final presented product. Various accessories for the jewelry item may also be provided, such as necklaces, cufflink findings, clasps, pins or strings. 
         [0052]    The product may be provided with a marking or otherwise applied graphic or labeling element which identifies the clinic or practitioner responsible for the procedure and supply. This marking may be applied at component production level, such as embossing on plastic parts, or by a post-applied print or label affixed following assembly of the product. 
         [0053]    Importantly, the processing of the lens material, from reclamation from the phacoemulsification cassette to presentation to the patient should be a very rapid process, requiring minimal training and dexterity of the operator. Given that the patient is almost immediately mobile and able to leave the surgery within 15 minutes to half and hour of surgery, the process should preferably allow the keepsake to leave with the patient and should also not overly consume the time of clinic staff. 
         [0054]    Alternate methods of lens or other material encapsulation may include incorporation into a rapid-curing resin or other means of capturing and sealing the material. The capture of the material may be designed to maximize the visual impact of the keepsake, by addition of sparkling features or materials that impart flow, motion or other eye-catching or novel features. 
         [0055]    Alternately, a high-end application of the concept may include a longer or more involved method of material processing, such as resin impregnation or casting, such that the finished product is not provided immediately and the finished piece may be much more complex, functional or visually spectacular. 
         [0056]    Provision of this system, either as an immediate or follow-up patient service, must be considered within the context of a clinic marketing strategy and must consider the implications of privacy, patient consent and health and safety aspects of the use of human biological material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0057]    Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0058]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an extraction kit according to the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of a preferred filter used in the extraction kit illustrated in  FIG. 1  opened to show the filter screen. 
           [0060]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the filter screen as illustrated in  FIG. 2  showing the biological material collected on the filter screen. 
           [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred step in the method of collection of the biological material namely using a spatula to remove the material from the filter screen. 
           [0062]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two preferred embodiments of vials and respective caps which may be used in the present invention. 
           [0063]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the vials and caps of  FIG. 5  in a capped condition. 
           [0064]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from the front of a preferred embodiment of handling fixture used according to the present invention. 
           [0065]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the handling fixture illustrated in  FIG. 7  with a funnel in position. 
           [0066]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the handling fixture illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  showing an upper portion of the handling fixture of the preferred embodiment used to close the vial. 
           [0067]      FIG. 10  is an axonometric view of an alternative embodiment of an extraction kit of the present invention dispensing the collected material into a vial. 
           [0068]      FIG. 11  is an axonometric view of an alternative embodiment of an extraction kit of the present invention. 
           [0069]      FIG. 12  is an axonometric view of an alternative embodiment of the filter mechanism according to a preferred embodiment. 
           [0070]      FIG. 13  is an axonometric view of the filter mechanism of  FIG. 12  dispensing the collected material into a vial. 
           [0071]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the filter mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 12  along line A-A. 
           [0072]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the filter mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 13  along line B-B dispensing the collected material into a vial. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0073]    According to a preferred embodiment, a method and apparatus for creation of a keepsake or memento from biological material recovered following removal during a medical procedure, particularly phacoemulsification, is provided. 
         [0074]    The phacoemulsification method has become the standard procedure for routine cataract surgery, and the collection of fluid and lens material removed during the procedure into a collection cassette  10  is common, though the exact configuration of the equipment and performance varies. Importantly, the ability remains, by way of removing a connection or other port, to access the material accumulated within the cassette  10  for most, if not all types of phacoemulsification systems. 
         [0075]    Once the cassette  10  is accessible, the material within (including the irrigation fluid) may be withdrawn in order to selectively retain the lens material. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , this access includes the use of a tapered, resilient stopper  11  which provides a sealed connection to an extraction tube  12  via the appropriate port or opening in the cassette  10 . The taper and resilience of the stopper  11  should accommodate various port sizes and or shapes, depending on the phacoemulsification system. 
         [0076]    The extracted fluid is entrained via the tube  12  through a filtration component  13  by way of a vacuum or gravity draining. According to the illustrated embodiment, suction to ensure rapid extraction is applied by a large syringe  14 . A common volume of material is 50 to 200 mL of balanced salt solution, thus, the preferred embodiment includes vacuum extraction by way of a large syringe (30 mL) and a suitable check valve  15  enabling multiple pump strokes to alternately suck and expel waste irrigation fluid. 
         [0077]    According to the illustrated embodiment, a waste tube  16  is provided with a weight  17  to ensure the waste stream is directed to an appropriate drain. 
         [0078]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the preferred filter  13  is provided in two parts with an upper  18  and lower  19  portion (defined by their relative position in the flow path with the lower portion downstream), which are formed or otherwise labeled to indicate the flow direction therein. The portions are easily separable by a user by means of a knurled or grippable edges, in order to access the collected lens material without loss or contamination. 
         [0079]    The filter screen  20  located in the filter  13  is sufficiently coarse to only collect particles large enough to be easily visible. It is common for lens particles  21  delivered by phacoemulsification to be sized similarly to fine sand, with a density suitably low to enable the cassette  10  to be agitated gently to produce a relatively homogenous mixture of particles  21  and suspension or irrigation fluid. 
         [0080]    The illustrated preferred embodiment incorporating a stainless steel filter screen  20  has apertures approximately 0.4 mm diameter, which captures a suitable amount of material for processing. 
         [0081]    The lens particles/material  21  accumulates on the filter screen  20  within the filter  13 . 
         [0082]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , opening of the filter  13  exposes the filter screen  20  such that the lens particles/material  21  which tends to cling to the screen  20  face can be scraped away for collection as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The filter screen  20  is exposed such that the entire face is accessible and no edges or corners limit the amount of collected material that may be scraped away. 
         [0083]    A spatula  22  or other suitable tool may be provided to scrape the filter screen  20 . This tool may also be shaped to enable manipulation of the lens material (which retains the consistency of damp brown sugar) into a secondary collection vessel  23 . 
         [0084]    The secondary collection vessel  23  of the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a piece of jewellery or wearable memento. 
         [0085]    The lens particles/material  21  are loaded into the secondary container  23  in a manner that is hygienic and safe for the operator. In the illustrated embodiment, the spatula  22  is configured to be received by a small funnel  24  located partially in the open neck of the secondary collection vessel  23 , such that no material is lost in the process. 
         [0086]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate preferred embodiments of the secondary collection vessel  23  in the form of jewellery pieces which as illustrated, take the form of a vial  25  with a cap  26 , which, when capped, can be worn or carried as a pendant. 
         [0087]    In order to maintain the simplicity and safety of the system, the jewellery pieces, particularly the vials  25  can be housed or arranged such that handling or correct orientation of the small parts is not required. 
         [0088]    A preferred configuration of equipment to achieve this is illustrated in  FIG. 7  in which the vial  25  is retained in an upright position by a handling fixture. The handling fixture illustrated includes an upper  27  and a lower  28  portion, with the lower portion  28  incorporating a broad base  29  for stability. The lower portion  28  also has a receiving opening  30  and shaped cavity (not shown) for a vial  25 , internally configured to align and retain various vial forms. 
         [0089]    The upper portion  27  also includes a shaped receiving opening  31 . The shaped opening  31  in the upper portion  27  is internally configured to align and retain a cap  26  for the vial  25 . Once the vial  25  is correctly located in the lower portion  28  and the lens particles/material  21  loaded, together with appropriate stabilising material, the upper portion  27  is placed on the lower portion  28  and the cap  26  engages the vial  25 . 
         [0090]    The handling fixture portions  27 ,  28  of the illustrated embodiment are transparent, such that the vial and other elements are visible. 
         [0091]    Upon depositing the lens particles/material  21  into the vial  25 , an amount of a fluid to both biologically stabilize and allow the lens particles/material  21  to disperse and drift in the vial  25  is added. A suitable fluid for both these actions is 70% alcohol, which has the added benefit of not leaving a residue should any spillage or overflow occur due to its rapid vaporisation. 
         [0092]    The handling fixture may also allow orientation of the cap  26 , such that the filling and correct closure process requires no contact between reclaimed lens particles/material  21  and the clinic operator. 
         [0093]    Fixation of the cap  26  to the vial  25  may be by an engineered tolerance closure, or a suitable fast-acting adhesive or bonding agent. 
         [0094]    An alternative embodiment of the device for recovery of the lens particles/material from the cassette is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 15 . 
         [0095]    In this embodiment, the syringe  14  is fitted to the thumb end of a filter/plunger assembly  33 . The tube  12  with bag spike  34  is fitted to the opposing inlet end of the filter/plunger assembly  33 . The bag spike  34  is configured with a removable rubberised stopper  11 , enabling the bag spike  34  to be configured to access a soft bag (utilising the spike  36 ), a cassette (utilising the stopper  11 ), or tubing. 
         [0096]    The fluid is drawn through the filter/plunger assembly  33  by the syringe  14 , such that particulate matter is collected by the filter element  13  within the inlet end  36  of the filter/plunger assembly  33 . The filter element is typically cellulose acetate fibre. The filter element  13  may be set a little back from the filter nose opening  37 , such that collected material is entrapped by the plastic enclosure of the nose opening  37 , rather than relying solely on the stickiness of the agglomeration in the filter. 
         [0097]    As the fluid flow is continuous and steady, with no forward pressure, the material remains trapped and cannot be expelled during the collection. 
         [0098]    At the completion of the fluid draw, the syringe  14  is removed from the top of the plunger/filter assembly  33 , and the tube  12  carefully removed from the inlet end  36 . To expel fluid back into the original container, the syringe  14  may be reconnected directly to the tubing to expel the (filtered) fluid. 
         [0099]    The plunger/filter assembly  33  may then be manipulated like a syringe with the wings  38  providing a bearing surface for the fingers, and the thumb providing a force on the central plunger  39 . 
         [0100]    The nose of the plunger/filter assembly  33  is aligned with or projected into a vial  25  or receptacle as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ,  13  or  15 , typically some form of decorative/jewellery/keepsake item, in which there is a suitably sized opening and an internal void which may be sealed with some form of cap. 
         [0101]    In this embodiment, a commonly available glass vial and cap system is used. The nose of the plunger/filter assembly  33  is inserted to the vial  25  and the plunger  39  pressed hard, which forces the plunger stem  40  forward, first compressing the filter element  13 , then bursting the nose of the plunger/filter assembly  33 , such that the filter element  13  and collected material is expelled through the hole into the vial  25 . The plunger/filter assembly  33  is then discarded. 
         [0102]    The vial  25  is filled with a liquid of which pure acetone is a preferred form, such that the filter element  13  is covered and no bubbles remain. The vial  25  is capped, preferably to eliminate air bubbles, and permanently sealed. A decorative cap or jewellery finding may be added to the vial  25 . 
         [0103]    The preferred acetone is a solvent to the preferred cellulose acetate filter element, which dissolves, leaving the recovered cataract lens material floating freely in the vial  25 . 
         [0104]    In summary, the preferred process therefore includes the steps of:
       Loading of the vial to the lower portion of the handling fixture.   Positioning of an adapter portion  32  to locate the funnel.   Depositing of lens particles/material  21  into vial, via the funnel.   Filling of the vial with a measured amount of stabilizer fluid.   Removal of the adapter portion and funnel.   Fixation of the cap to the body using the upper portion of the handling fixture.   Removal of the complete pendant.   System cleaning and resetting.       
 
         [0113]    In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 
         [0114]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.