Tissue press and system

Apparatus for shaping a piece of tissue, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members;
• a plurality of first forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said first member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said first forming elements with said first member;
• a plurality of second forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said second member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said second forming elements with said second member;
• said first and second forming elements when connected with said first and second members being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue;
• and
• said first and second members being relatively movable between a first spaced apart condition and a second condition in which said piece of tissue is shaped between said first and second forming elements;
• wherein said first and second forming elements include surface means for shaping the tissue into a square shape.

Apparatus for shaping a piece of tissue, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members;
• a plurality of first forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said first member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said first forming elements with said first member;
• a plurality of second forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said second member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said second forming elements with said second member;
• said first and second forming elements when connected with said first and second members being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue;
• and
• said first and second members being relatively movable between a first spaced apart condition and a second condition in which said piece of tissue is shaped between said first and second forming elements;
• wherein said first and second forming elements include surface means for shaping the tissue onto a triangular shape.

Apparatus for shaping a piece of tissue, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members;
• a plurality of first forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said first member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said first forming elements with said first member;
• a plurality of second forming elements of different predetermined shapes selectively engageable on said second member;
• means for connecting a selected one of said second forming elements with said second member;
• said first and second forming elements when connected with said first and second members being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue;
• and
• said first and second members being relatively movable between a first spaced apart condition and a second condition in which said piece of tissue is shaped between said first and second forming elements;
• wherein said first and second forming elements include surface means for shaping the tissue into a semicircular shape.

A tissue press for compressing a piece of tissue, comprising:

• a base member;
• a first compressing part on said base member for receiving the piece of tissue thereon;
• a movable member connected with said base member and movable relative to said base member;
• a second compressing part on said movable member, said first and second compressing parts being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue when the piece of tissue is received on said first compressing part;
• said movable member being movable toward said base member to move said second compressing part toward said first compressing part to compress the piece of tissue between the first and second compressing parts, said base member including surface means for supporting said base member and thereby said apparatus on an external support surface, said movable member being pivotally supported by said base member;
• and
• means for selectively controlling the temperature of the piece of tissue while it is being compressed.

A tissue press for reshaping a piece of human tissue to a particular overall shape without substantially changing the texture or consistency of the tissue, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members connected with each other for relative movement;
• said first member having a first forming surface of a first predetermined shape for providing a first portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue,
• said second member having a second forming surface of a second predetermined shape for providing a second portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue,
• said first and second forming elements being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue to be shaped, and
• actuator means for connecting said first and second relatively movable members for relative movement of said second forming element toward said first forming element with the tissue piece between them to reshape the tissue piece between the first and second forming surfaces without substantially changing its texture or consistency,
• said first member has a surface portion receiving a selected one of a plurality different of easily removable, interchangeable first forming elements of different predetermined shapes, said first forming element having said first forming surface,
• said second member having a surface portion receiving a selected one of a plurality of easily removable, interchangeable second forming elements of different predetermined shapes, said second forming element having said second forming surface.

A tissue press for reshaping a piece of human tissue to a particular overall shape without substantially changing the texture or consistency of the tissue, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members connected with each other for relative movement;
• said first member having a first forming surface of a first predetermined shape for providing a first portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue;
• said second member having a second forming surface of a second predetermined shape for providing a second portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue;
• said first and second forming elements being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue to be shaped;
• actuator means for connecting said first and second relatively movable members for relative movement of said second forming element toward said first forming element with the tissue piece between them to reshape the tissue piece between the first and second forming surfaces without substantially changing its texture or consistency;
• and
• means for selectively controlling the temperature of the piece of tissue while it is being compressed.

A tissue press for compressing a piece of human tissue to a smaller volume without substantially changing its constitution, form, or texture, comprising:

• first and second relatively movable members connected with each other for relative movement;
• said first member having a first forming surface at least partially defining a first predetermined volume for providing a first portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue;
• said second member having a second forming surface at least partially defining a second predetermined volume for providing a second portion of the overall shape of the reshaped tissue;
• said first and second forming elements being positionable on opposite sides of the piece of tissue to be shaped;
• and
• actuator means for connecting said first and second relatively movable members for relative movement of said second forming element toward said first forming element with the tissue piece between them to compress the tissue piece to a smaller volume without substantially changing its constitution, form, or texture;
• said first member has a surface portion receiving a selected one of a plurality of easily removable, interchangeable first forming elements of different predetermined shapes, said first forming element having said first forming surface;
• said second member having a surface portion receiving a selected one of a plurality of easily removable, interchangeable second forming elements of different predetermined shapes, said second forming element having said second forming surface.