Tissue refining device

A system for collecting and refining tissue to be used with a harvesting device and a vacuum source, the system comprising:

• a canister body including a vacuum port, an evacuation port, a tissue harvesting port operable to be placed in communication with the harvesting device and to direct a quantity of tissue retrieved by the harvesting device into the canister body when suction is applied to the vacuum port by the vacuum source, a tissue retrieval port, and a separator element dividing the canister body into an upper vacuum chamber in communication with the vacuum port and the tissue harvesting port and a lower vacuum chamber in communication with the evacuation port, the separator element including a plurality of apertures projecting through the separator element and a depression with a channel in communication with the tissue retrieval port;
• the canister body includes a removable top covering having the vacuum port, the tissue harvesting port, and the evacuation port, and a base including the tissue retrieval port;
• the evacuation port includes an elongated tube projecting into the canister body from the covering and having a lower end extending through the separator element and disposed within the lower vacuum chamber;
• a vacuum source;
• a manifold having a first branch in communication with the vacuum port, a second branch in communication with the evacuation port, and a free common end;
• an evacuation port isolator in communication with the evacuation port and selectively operable to isolate the vacuum source from the evacuation port;
• and
• a waste canister having a first port in communication with the vacuum source and a second port in communication with the free common end of the manifold.