Patent ID: 7687059

Claim:
A self contained adipose-derived stem cell processing unit, comprising: a tissue collection container that is configured to receive unprocessed adipose tissue that is removed from a patient, wherein said tissue collection container is defined by a closed system; a first filter that is disposed within said tissue collection container, wherein said first filter is configured to substantially retain a first component of said unprocessed adipose tissue and pass a second component of said unprocessed adipose tissue, such that said first filter substantially separates said first component from said second component, and wherein said first component comprises a cell population that comprises adipose-derived stem cells and said second component comprises mature adipocytes; a cell collection container, which is configured to receive said first component comprising a cell population that comprises adipose-derived stem cells from said tissue collection container, wherein said cell collection container is within said closed system; a conduit configured to allow passage of said first component comprising a cell population comprising adipose-derived stem cells from said tissue collection container to said cell collection container while maintaining a closed system; and a cell concentrator disposed within said cell collection container that is configured to facilitate the concentration of said first component comprising a cell population that comprises adipose-derived stem cells, wherein said cell concentrator comprises a centrifuge or a spinning membrane filter.