Method of and apparatus for sampling, processing and collecting tissue and reinjecting the same into human patients

A tissue sampling, processing and collection device comprises:

• a collection chamber having closed end with a central aperture, and an open end with hollow inner chamber/space disposed between the closed end and the open end;
• a removable lid for threaded connection to the open end of the collection chamber, and having a central flow channel terminated in a first connector for connecting the device to vacuum source by way of a first section of vacuum tubing;
• a stationary suction plate having multiple hollow projections for supporting the open ends of multiple tissue collection tubes, each having micro-pores or perforations formed in the walls thereof to allow fluid to flow and filter therethrough while in said collection chamber;
• and
• a second connector operably connected to said hollow selector post allowing said tissue sampling, processing and collection device to be directly connected to a hand-held power-assisted tissue aspiration instrument, or indirectly by way of a second section of vacuum tubing, as may be desired by the surgeon.

A tissue sampling, processing and collection device for connected in-line to a hand-held power-assisted tissue aspiration instrument, comprising:

• a collection chamber having closed end with a central aperture, and an open end with hollow inner chamber/space disposed between the closed end and the open end;
• a removable lid for connection to the open end of said collection chamber, and having a central flow channel terminated in a first connector connecting said tissue sampling, processing and collection device to a vacuum source by way of vacuum tubing;
• a suction plate having multiple hollow projections for supporting the open proximal ends of multiple tissue collection tube, each having micro-pores formed in the side walls thereof to allow fluid to flow and filter therethrough while in said collection chamber, capped with caps;
• a rotatable selector for rotational engagement with said stationary suction plate and having a hollow central post section that passes through central aperture and establishes fluid communication with a passage/conduit that extends from center to periphery to control the flow of aspirated fat sample from said hand-held tissue aspiration instrument through said selector and into said tissue collection tube;
• and
• a turning knob mounted on and engaging with said hollow selector post and enabling the turning of said rotatable selector relative to said suction plate to select a tissue collection tube into which an aspirated fat sample should flow for collection and indexing purposes during tissue sampling.