| abstract |
Methods and apparatus for collecting and processing tissue to produce an endothelial cell product having a vessel for rinsing, draining, digesting and isolating tissue. The vessel has a rinsing and digesting chamber for containing tissue during processing. An inlet in the rinsing and digesting chamber allows entry of rinsing solution and tissue from a liposuction device. A waste chamber in fluid communication with the rinsing and digesting chamber preferably connects with a vacuum source. An isolation chamber is separated from the rinsing and digesting chamber by a screen. An ampule in fluid communication with the isolation chamber includes a pair of ports controlled by valve devices to be selectively in fluid communication with the isolation chamber. After processing, the ampule isolates a pellet of endothelial cells and the valve devices permit the pellet to be in fluid communication with the ports. The method includes providing the vessel, introducing tissue to be processed, orienting the vessel to screen the tissue, introducing an enzyme and agitating to digest the tissue, centrifuging the vessel to transfer the cells from the digested tissue, and isolating the cells for retrieval. |