Methods and apparatus for collecting and separating regenerative cells from adipose tissue

A method, comprising:

• collecting adipose tissue in a syringe, the syringe including a body having an internal chamber, a proximal end through which a plunger assembly slides into and out of the chamber, and a distal end through which the adipose tissue is drawn into the chamber;
• inserting the body of the syringe into an open, proximal end of a collection sleeve such that the distal end of the syringe is in fluid communication with a reservoir at an opposing, closed end of the collection sleeve;
• subjecting the collected adipose tissue to heat and vibration whilst remaining within the syringe in the collection sleeve to initiate separation of the adipose tissue into strata, where a concentration of the regenerative cells are in a first of the strata and a substantial concentration of fat is in a second of the strata;
• subjecting the syringe and collection sleeve to centrifugation such that regenerative cells and some secondary materials in the first stratum are drawn toward and out of the distal end of the chamber of the syringe;
• and
• filtering the first stratum such that the regenerative cells are permitted to pass to the reservoir of the collection sleeve in response to the centrifugation.