Tissue transplantation method and apparatus

A method for transplanting tissue, comprising:

• removing tissue from a body using a first cannula in communication with a vacuum source;
• depositing at least some of said removed tissue in a perforated chamber in communication with to said first cannula and said vacuum source;
• disconnecting said perforated chamber from said first cannula and said vacuum source;
• interconnecting said perforated chamber to a second cannula;
• blocking said perforations of said perforated chamber, wherein substantially all of said tissue deposited in said perforated chamber is separated from an environment outside of said perforated chamber;
• and
• forcing at least some of said tissue deposited in said perforated chamber out of said perforated chamber through said second cannula.

An apparatus for performing tissue transplantation, comprising:

• means for maintaining a vacuum within a defined volume, including inlet means and outlet means;
• means for creating a vacuum interconnected to said outlet means of said maintaining a vacuum within a defined volume;
• means for collecting tissue from a body, wherein said means for collecting tissue is interconnected to said inlet means of said means for maintaining a vacuum within a defined volume;
• means for filtering said collected tissue from a flow of material passing generally from said inlet means of said means for maintaining a vacuum and towards said outlet means of said means for maintaining a vacuum, wherein said means for maintaining a vacuum includes means for permitting access to an interior of said defined volume to remove said means for filtering;
• and
• means for forcing said collected tissue from said means for filtering through a cannula and into a body.