Patent ID: 8562542

Claim:
A biological tissue collection device, comprising: a proximal housing defining an inner proximal chamber configured to retain fluid therein; a distal housing defining an inner distal chamber configured to retain fluid therein, the distal housing being removably matable to the proximal housing such that the proximal and distal chambers are in fluid communication with one another; a retaining member having upper and lower portions attached by a hinge and configured to engage a tissue scaffold therebetween, the retaining member being removably disposed between the proximal and distal chambers such that a scaffold engaged by the retaining member separates the proximal and distal chambers; and a driver mechanism coupled to the proximal housing and configured to create a force to draw fluid from the distal chamber through a scaffold engaged by the retaining member and into the proximal chamber, and wherein release of the force allows the fluid to flow from the proximal chamber through the scaffold and back into the distal chamber; wherein the distal housing includes a transverse slot formed therein for slidably receiving the retaining member and the retaining member includes opposed locking tabs configured to interface with ridges formed on an outer surface of the distal housing to secure the retaining member between the proximal and distal chambers.