US 11,589,895 B1Granted

Tissue separation device and methods for using same

AssigneeMusculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

InventorsGerman Eduardo Jurado Rivera, Moises Rivera-Alvarado, Samuel Arocho, Walter E. Diaz, Manuel A. Olivos Sanchez

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A device for separating a sample of tissue in a controlled and precise manner and, more particularly, to produce a piece of tissue having a generally planar configuration and, optionally, additional desired characteristics, such as a predetermined maximum thickness, and selected tissue type. The device is adjustable to allow for different thicknesses and different operational speeds for application to different types of recovered tissue samples.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A device for producing a tissue product from a tissue sample,

wherein the tissue product comprises a piece of tissue having a generally planar configuration and a predetermined maximum thickness between first and second surfaces thereof, the device comprising:
(A) a support base (16) for supporting the device on a horizontal surface;
(B) a drum assembly (12) mounted on the support base (16) and comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical drum (20) having a longitudinal axis (LA) oriented parallel to the horizontal surface and an exterior cylindrical surface (32),
a shaft (42) extending through the drum (20) coincident with the longitudinal axis (LA), and
a hand wheel mounted to the drum (20) capable of manually rotating the drum (20);
(C) a drum motor assembly (22) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with the shaft (42) of the drum assembly (12) and capable of continuously rotating the drum (20) about the longitudinal axis (LA);
(D) a blade assembly (14) comprising a blade (64) which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) and capable of cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) to form the tissue product;
(E) a lateral movement mechanism (30) operably engaged with and carrying the blade assembly (14) and capable of moving the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM);
(F) a lateral drive assembly (28) operably engaged with and capable of operating the lateral movement mechanism (30) to move the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM), wherein the lateral movement mechanism (30), the lateral drive assembly (28), and the blade assembly (14) are, together, capable of continuously cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) by reciprocatingly moving the blade assembly (14) and blade (64) thereof in the lateral direction (LM);
(G) a blade motor assembly (26) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with and capable of actuating the lateral drive assembly (28) to operate the lateral movement mechanism (30);
and
(H) a thickness adjustment mechanism (24) which is partially mounted on the support base (16) and partially mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30), thereby being operably engaged with the blade assembly (14), wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is capable of setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by moving the blade assembly (14) in a linear direction (TA), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the drum (20), and positioning the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), wherein the distance (d) is equal to the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product, wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) comprises:
a block (94) having a threaded bore (95) and being mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30) which slidingly rests on two or more guide rails (76a, 76b) which enable movement of the lateral movement mechanism (30) and the blade assembly (14) carried thereon in the linear direction (TA);
a bearing block (96) and adjacent seal plate (97) which are fixedly mounted to the support base (16) and have aligned threaded bores therethrough which are also aligned with the threaded bore (95) of the block (94);
and
a threaded shaft (102) having a knob (103) at one end thereof, wherein the threaded shaft (102) is threadedly received through and engaged with the threaded bores of each of the block (94), the bearing block 196) and the seal plate (97), and
wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is manually operable by turning the knob (103) which moves the lateral movement mechanism (30) and the blade assembly (14) carried thereon in the linear direction (TA) and positions the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20).

15 more elements

A device for producing a tissue product from a tissue sample, wherein the tissue product comprises a piece of tissue having a generally planar configuration and a predetermined maximum thickness between first and second surfaces thereof, the device comprising:

(A) a support base (16) for supporting the device on a horizontal surface;
(B) a drum assembly (12) mounted on the support base (16) and comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical drum (20) having a longitudinal axis (LA) oriented parallel to the horizontal surface and an exterior cylindrical surface (32),
a shaft (42) extending through the drum (20) coincident with the longitudinal axis (LA), and
a hand wheel mounted to the drum (20) capable of manually rotating the drum (20);
(C) a drum motor assembly (22) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with the shaft (42) of the drum assembly (12) and capable of continuously rotating the drum (20) about the longitudinal axis (LA);
(D) a blade assembly (14) comprising a blade (64) which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) and capable of cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) to form the tissue product;
(E) a lateral movement mechanism (30) operably engaged with and carrying the blade assembly (14) and capable of moving the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM);
(F) a lateral drive assembly (28) operably engaged with and capable of operating the lateral movement mechanism (30) to move the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM), wherein the lateral movement mechanism (30), the lateral drive assembly (28), and the blade assembly (14) are, together, capable of continuously cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) by reciprocatingly moving the blade assembly (14) and blade (64) thereof in the lateral direction (LM);
(G) a blade motor assembly (26) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with and capable of actuating the lateral drive assembly (28) to operate the lateral movement mechanism (30);
(H) a thickness adjustment mechanism (24) which is partially mounted on the support base (16) and partially mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30), thereby being operably engaged with the blade assembly (14), wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is capable of setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by moving the blade assembly (14) in a linear direction (TA), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the drum (20), and positioning the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), wherein the distance (d) is equal to the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product;
and
(I) a tissue pusher assembly (15) comprising a tissue pusher (66) slidably mounted to the support base (16) and which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), moveable in the same linear direction (TA) as, and independently of, the thickness adjustment mechanism (24), and capable of pressing and holding a tissue sample on the exterior surface (32) during operation of the device.

10 more elements

(A) a support base (16) for supporting the device on a horizontal surface;
(B) a drum assembly (12) mounted on the support base (16) and comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical drum (20) having a longitudinal axis (LA) oriented parallel to the horizontal surface and an exterior cylindrical surface (32),
a shaft (42) extending through the drum (20) coincident with the longitudinal axis (LA), and
a hand wheel mounted to the drum (20) capable of manually rotating the drum (20);
(C) a drum motor assembly (22) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with the shaft (42) of the drum assembly (12) and capable of continuously rotating the drum (20) about the longitudinal axis (LA);
(D) a blade assembly (14) comprising a blade (64) which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) and capable of cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) to form the tissue product, the blade assembly (14) further comprising:
a holder (90) and a clamp (92) which securely hold the blade (64) therebetween;
and
at least two shafts (98a, 98b) which are each affixed to (E) a lateral movement mechanism (30) and to either or both of the holder (90) and clamp (92), and which support the holder (90), blade (64) and clamp (92), which are assembled together, in an elevated position above the support base (16) and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20);
(E) the lateral movement mechanism (30) operably engaged with and carrying the blade assembly (14) and capable of moving the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM);
(F) a lateral drive assembly (28) operably engaged with and capable of operating the lateral movement mechanism (30) to move the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM), wherein the lateral movement mechanism (30), the lateral drive assembly (28), and the blade assembly (14) are, together, capable of continuously cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) by reciprocatingly moving the blade assembly (14) and blade (64) thereof in the lateral direction (LM);
(G) a blade motor assembly (26) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with and capable of actuating the lateral drive assembly (28) to operate the lateral movement mechanism (30);
and
(H) a thickness adjustment mechanism (24) which is partially mounted on the support base (16) and partially mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30), thereby being operably engaged with the blade assembly (14), wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is capable of setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by moving the blade assembly (14) in a linear direction (TA), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the drum (20), and positioning the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), wherein the distance (d) is equal to the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product.

12 more elements

A method for producing a tissue product from a tissue sample, wherein the tissue product comprises a piece of tissue having a generally planar configuration and a predetermined maximum thickness between first and second surfaces thereof, and wherein the method is performed using a device which comprises:

(A) a support base (16) for supporting the device on a horizontal surface;
(B) a drum assembly (12) mounted on the support base (16) and comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical drum (20) having a longitudinal axis (LA) oriented parallel to the horizontal surface and an exterior cylindrical surface (32),
a shaft (42) extending through the drum (20) coincident with the longitudinal axis (LA), and
a hand wheel mounted to the drum (20) capable of manually rotating the drum (20);
(C) a drum motor assembly (22) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with the shaft (42) of the drum assembly (12) and capable of continuously rotating the drum (20) about the longitudinal axis (LA);
(D) a blade assembly (14) comprising a blade (64) which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) and capable of cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) to form the tissue product;
(E) a lateral movement mechanism (30) operably engaged with and carrying the blade assembly (14) and capable of moving the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM);
(F) a lateral drive assembly (28) operably engaged with and capable of operating the lateral movement mechanism (30) to move the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM), wherein the lateral movement mechanism (30), the lateral drive assembly (28), and the blade assembly (14) are, together, capable of continuously cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) by reciprocatingly moving the blade assembly (14) and blade (64) thereof in the lateral direction (LM);
(G) a blade motor assembly (26) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with and capable of actuating the lateral drive assembly (28) to operate the lateral movement mechanism (30);
(H) a thickness adjustment mechanism (24) which is partially mounted on the support base (16) and partially mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30), thereby being operably engaged with the blade assembly (14), wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is capable of setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by moving the blade assembly (14) in a linear direction (TA), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the drum (20), and positioning the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), wherein the distance (d) is equal to the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
(1) optionally, modifying the tissue sample to have a size and shape suitable for use with the device;
(2) mounting the tissue sample on the exterior surface of the drum (20);
(3) selecting and setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by positioning the blade (64) of the blade assembly (14) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), using the thickness adjustment mechanism (24);
(4) positioning the tissue sample in a suitable position relative to the blade (64) of the blade assembly (14) by manually rotating the drum (20) using the hand wheel, wherein the suitable position is when a leading edge of the tissue sample is proximate to but not yet in contact with the blade (64);
(5) commencing lateral reciprocating movement of the blade assembly (14) by supplying power to the blade motor assembly (26), which actuates the lateral drive assembly (28), which operates the lateral movement mechanism (30), which moves the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in the lateral direction (LM);
(6) commencing rotation of the drum (20) and the tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) thereof by supplying power to the drum motor assembly (22);
(7) allowing the concurrent reciprocating movement of the blade assembly (14) and rotation of the drum (20) and the tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) thereof to continue until all of the tissue sample has passed by the blade assembly (14) to form a first tissue product which remains on the drum (20) and a second piece of tissue which has been separated from the first tissue product;
(8) optionally, removing the first tissue product from the drum (20), wherein the first tissue product has a generally planar configuration, a predetermined maximum thickness, and, optionally, consists essentially of a selected tissue type;
(9) optionally, removing the first tissue product from the drum (20) and mounting the second piece of tissue to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) as a next tissue sample to be cut, and repeating steps (3) to (7);
and
(10) optionally, leaving the first tissue product on the drum (20) and using the first tissue product as a next tissue sample to be cut, and repeating steps (4) to (7).

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A device for producing a tissue product from a tissue sample,

wherein the tissue product comprises a piece of tissue having a generally planar configuration and a predetermined maximum thickness between first and second surfaces thereof, the device comprising:
(A) a support base (16) for supporting the device on a horizontal surface;
(B) a drum assembly (12) mounted on the support base (16) and comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical drum (20) having a longitudinal axis (LA) oriented parallel to the horizontal surface and an exterior cylindrical surface (32),
a shaft (42) extending through the drum (20) coincident with the longitudinal axis (LA), and
a hand wheel mounted to the drum (20) capable of manually rotating the drum (20);
(C) a drum motor assembly (22) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with the shaft (42) of the drum assembly (12) and capable of continuously rotating the drum (20) about the longitudinal axis (LA);
(D) a blade assembly (14) comprising a blade (64) which is longitudinally aligned with and proximate to the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) and capable of cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) to form the tissue product;
(E) a lateral movement mechanism (30) operably engaged with and carrying the blade assembly (14) and capable of moving the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM);
(F) a lateral drive assembly (28) operably engaged with and capable of operating the lateral movement mechanism (30) to move the blade assembly (14) reciprocatingly in a lateral direction (LM), wherein the lateral movement mechanism (30), the lateral drive assembly (28), and the blade assembly (14) are, together, capable of continuously cutting a tissue sample mounted on the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20) by reciprocatingly moving the blade assembly (14) and blade (64) thereof in the lateral direction (LM);
(G) a blade motor assembly (26) mounted to the support base (16) and operably engaged with and capable of actuating the lateral drive assembly (28) to operate the lateral movement mechanism (30);
and
(H) a thickness adjustment mechanism (24) which is partially mounted on the support base (16) and partially mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30), thereby being operably engaged with the blade assembly (14), wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is capable of setting the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product by moving the blade assembly (14) in a linear direction (TA), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the drum (20), and positioning the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20), wherein the distance (d) is equal to the maximum predetermined thickness of the tissue product, wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) comprises:
a block (94) having a threaded bore (95) and being mounted to the lateral movement mechanism (30) which slidingly rests on two or more guide rails (76a, 76b) which enable movement of the lateral movement mechanism (30) and the blade assembly (14) carried thereon in the linear direction (TA);
a bearing block (96) and adjacent seal plate (97) which are fixedly mounted to the support base (16) and have aligned threaded bores therethrough which are also aligned with the threaded bore (95) of the block (94);
and
a threaded shaft (102) having a knob (103) at one end thereof, wherein the threaded shaft (102) is threadedly received through and engaged with the threaded bores of each of the block (94), the bearing block 196) and the seal plate (97), and
wherein the thickness adjustment mechanism (24) is manually operable by turning the knob (103) which moves the lateral movement mechanism (30) and the blade assembly (14) carried thereon in the linear direction (TA) and positions the blade (64) a distance (d) from the exterior surface (32) of the drum (20).

15 more elements