Device for collecting biological samples and preparing an extract, implementation method

Abstract

"Device for collecting biological samples and preparing an extract, implementation method" Collection device intended for collecting a biological sample (20) by aspiration and for preparing an extract comprising a closed jar (3) having: rigid walls (13, 14, 2) delimiting an internal volume, upstream (10) and downstream (11) orifices provided in at least one of the walls to open into the internal volume and which can be connected to upstream (18) and downstream (19) tubing, the upstream (10) and downstream (11) orifices being arranged in an upper part of the jar (3). The jar (3) further comprises an extract outlet (17) arranged in the lower part of the jar (3) and equipped with a valve (9) operable between an open position and a closed position, and one of the walls, called the movable wall, is movable relative to the other walls under the action of an operating mechanism, so as to vary the internal volume of the jar (3). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for collecting biological samples and preparing an extract, method of implementation technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical equipment for collecting biological material, particularly tissue, and more particularly to a closed device for collecting a biological sample by aspiration and preparing an extract of said sample. A method of implementation completes the present invention. It can find applications in the fields of human or veterinary surgery, particularly cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Technological background

[0002] In the field of medical equipment intended for carrying out biological tissue and / or fluid sampling by aspiration, jars intended to be inserted into an aspiration circuit and collecting within them, for collection, tissues and / or fluids from a subject.

[0003] These jars can be used in particular in "lipofilling" operations where they may be known as "collection jar", "grease trap", "collection pot" or "recovery jar".

[0004] These tissues and / or fluids can then be analyzed or reinjected into the same person (i.e., autologous reinjection) or into a third person (i.e., heterologous reinjection). They are therefore used, for example, in the case of a lipofilling procedure.

[0005] These reinjections generally require the preparation of an extract from the collected tissues and / or fluids, and jars have been proposed in which this preparation can be carried out. In the case of tissues, this preparation may consist of centrifugation, allowing the collected sample to be separated into different phases and the useful cells of the tissue to be concentrated to obtain the extract to be reinjected, which is then collected in the jar.

[0006] Due to the reuse of tissues and / or fluids, aseptic conditions must be respected and these jars must be airtight and their implementation is therefore complex in particular when preparing an extract and recovering it from the jar.

[0007] Indeed, in known jars with a constant volume, at least the recovery of the prepared extract from the jar requires removing some of the contents, while the jar must be airtight, and it is therefore necessary to provide means to manage the pressures between the inside of the jar and the external environment. Furthermore, in constant volume jars, it is necessary to introduce a The cannula-type element is inserted into the jar, and this is repeated several times if there are multiple washing steps. These back-and-forth movements of the cannula in the container present a significant risk because they can introduce germs into the preparation. Description of the invention

[0008] Within the framework of the invention, a biological sampling collection jar is proposed which is simpler to use than known collection jars and which avoids having to provide means to balance the pressures between the inside of the jar and the outside and avoids having to introduce a cannula-type element into the jar.

[0009] The proposed jar has a variable internal volume, and the contents of the jar can be recovered by modifying the internal volume of the jar, thus maintaining substantially balanced pressures between the inside and outside of the jar. The same applies to any introduction of a product into the jar during the preparation of an extract from the sample.

[0010] A device for collecting a biological sample by aspiration and preparing an extract of said biological sample is therefore proposed in particular, comprising a closed jar including:

[0011] - rigid walls delimiting an internal volume for receiving the sample,

[0012] - an upstream opening provided in one of the walls to open into the volume internal and adapted to be connected to an upstream tube through which the sample arrives,

[0013] - a downstream opening provided in one of the walls to open into the internal volume and adapted to be connected to a downstream tube linked to an air suction pump, and

[0014] wherein the upstream orifice and the downstream orifice are arranged in an upper part of the jar so that the biological sample entering the internal volume of the jar falls by gravity into a lower part of said jar.

[0015] According to the invention, the jar further comprises an extract outlet orifice arranged in the lower part of the jar and equipped with a valve that can be operated between an open position allowing the flow of the sample (or the extract once the latter has been prepared, or more generally of a content of the jar) outside the jar and a closed position retaining the sample (or the extract, or more generally of a content of the jar) inside the jar, and in that one of the walls, called the movable wall, is movable relative to the other walls under the effect of an operating member, so as to vary the internal volume of the jar.

[0016] Other advantageous features of the device according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:

[0017] - the closed jar is airtight,

[0018] - the internal volume of the closed jar is variable by moving one of the walls of the jar, referred to as the movable wall, the other walls being fixed, the movable wall moving while remaining in contact by its periphery against one or more fixed walls of the jar.

[0019] - the jar is configured so that the movable wall moves by tilting,

[0020] - the jar configured so that the movable wall moves by tilting is of the type bellows-type,

[0021] - the jar is configured so that the movable wall moves by sliding,

[0022] - the jar configured so that the movable wall moves by sliding is of the type piston-type

[0023] - the jar is configured so that the movement of the movable wall is a sliding, and the jar is in the form of a straight circular or respectively ovoid cylinder and comprises a cylindrical wall of circular or respectively ovoid tubular shape with two opposite ends, an upper end and a lower end, a circular or respectively ovoid wall in the upper part of the jar constituting a lid closing the jar from the top, a circular or respectively ovoid wall in the lower part of the jar constituting a bottom closing the jar from the bottom, and in which the movable wall is either the lid or the bottom, said movable wall being able to slide along the cylindrical wall in the manner of a piston,

[0024] - the internal volume is delimited by a cylindrical wall which, in operation, an axis substantially vertical and which is closed, in the upper part, by an upper wall forming a lid and, in the lower part, by a lower wall forming a bottom, and in which the movable wall is constituted by the lid or by the bottom, said movable wall being able to slide in the cylindrical wall along the axis of the latter in the manner of a piston,

[0025] - the jar is in the shape of a straight circular cylinder and has a cylindrical wall of circular tubular shape, a circular wall at the top of the jar forming a lid that closes the jar from the top and a circular wall at the bottom of the jar forming a base that closes the jar from the bottom,

[0026] - the cylindrical wall is fixed,

[0027] - the cylindrical wall comprises a lower part and the extract outlet orifice is lateral and arranged in a lower part of the cylindrical wall,

[0028] - the extract outlet orifice is provided in the bottom,

[0029] - the extract outlet orifice is vertical and located in the bottom,

[0030] - the extract outlet orifice is provided in the bottom, through said bottom,

[0031] - the lid is substantially flat,

[0032] - the upstream and downstream ports have anti-misuse devices designed to prevent a reversal of the upstream and downstream tubing,

[0033] - the bottom is configured in the shape of a cone of revolution with the point facing downwards,

[0034] - in the bottom configured in the shape of a cone of revolution with the point facing downwards, the orifice The extract outlet is arranged at the tip of the cone.

[0035] - the movable wall is formed by the base and includes the extract outlet orifice, the with the lid fixed,

[0036] - the movable wall is formed by the lid, the bottom being fixed,

[0037] - the movable wall comprises at least one locking sub-assembly of said movable wall to at least one of the fixed walls with which the movable wall remains in contact during its movements, said at least one locking subset being configurable between a locked state and an unlocked state and allowing in the locked state to lock said movable wall in a fixed position in which the internal volume of the jar is maximal,

[0038] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the device comprises at least one lid locking subassembly to the cylindrical wall, actuable between a locked state in which sliding of the lid within the cylindrical wall is prohibited, the lid being held in a raised position defining a maximum internal volume, and an unlocked state in which the lid can slide within the cylindrical wall,

[0039] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the bottom comprises at least one sub- locking assembly of said bottom to the cylindrical wall, actuable between a locked state in which sliding of the bottom in the cylindrical wall is prohibited, the bottom being held in a low position defining a maximum internal volume, and an unlocked state in which the bottom can slide in the cylindrical wall,

[0040] - the movable wall has an external surface on the outside of the jar,

[0041] - the locking subassembly comprises a bolt including, on the one hand, a sliding tongue forming a bolt mounted externally on the movable wall and, on the other hand, a notch forming a strike plate made in one of the fixed walls with which the movable wall remains in contact during its movements, one end of the sliding tongue coming, in the locked state, into contact with the notch,

[0042] - the lid has an external surface on the outside of the jar,

[0043] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the locking sub-assembly includes a bolt comprising, on the one hand, a sliding tongue forming a bolt mounted externally on the cover and, on the other hand, a notch forming a strike plate made in the cylindrical wall, one end of the sliding tongue engaging, in the locked state,

[0044] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the locking subassembly includes a bolt comprising, on the one hand, a sliding tongue forming a bolt mounted externally under the base and, on the other hand, a notch forming a strike plate one end of the sliding tongue, when locked, engages in the notch, which is provided in the cylindrical wall.

[0045] - the notch formed in the cylindrical wall does not pass through the wall cylindrical,

[0046] - the sliding tongue includes a sliding locking means allowing to lock the tab in the locked position,

[0047] - the means for locking the sliding of the tongue is removable in order to allow the the tab moves into the unlocked state,

[0048] - the jar has at least two latches,

[0049] - the jar has two latches,

[0050] - in the case where the movable wall can slide along the cylindrical wall at the In the manner of a piston, the two latches are arranged at two opposite points on the edge of said movable wall,

[0051] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the locking sub-assembly the cover has at least two latches, each comprising, on the one hand, a sliding tongue forming a bolt mounted externally on the cover and, on the other hand, a notch forming a strike plate in the cylindrical wall, the sliding tongues being arranged on the cover so that in the unlocked state the upstream and downstream orifices are at least partially covered by the two sliding tongues and prevent the connections of the respective tubing to the upstream and downstream orifices, and that in the locked state the upstream and downstream orifices are uncovered to allow the connections of the respective tubing to the upstream and downstream orifices,

[0052] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the jar comprises at least one a stop mechanism designed to prevent the cover from sliding upwards beyond its upper locking position,

[0053] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the jar includes at least one element of a stop designed to prevent the bottom from sliding downwards beyond its lower locking position.

[0054] - the stop member is a rim on the end of the cylindrical wall,

[0055] - the stop member is a lug integral with the end of the cylindrical wall, the with the leg extended in a radial direction towards the central axis of revolution of the cylindrical wall,

[0056] - the jar comprises at least four stop members of the leg type, the legs being spaced angularly and equally along the end of the cylindrical wall,

[0057] - the operating member of the movable wall consists of an operating rod accessible externally from the jar,

[0058] - the movable wall includes an operating rod accessible externally to the jar, arranged perpendicular to the movable wall, and allowing said movable wall to slide along the cylindrical wall,

[0059] - the operating rod includes a handle,

[0060] - the operating rod is a single piece with the movable wall,

[0061] - the operating rod is attached to the movable wall and is removable from the wall mobile,

[0062] - the removable operating rod can be screwed and unscrewed from the movable wall,

[0063] - the removable operating rod can be clipped and unclipped from the movable wall,

[0064] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the operating rod is a single piece with the lid,

[0065] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the operating rod is attached on the lid and is removable from the lid

[0066] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the removable operating rod is The lid can be screwed and unscrewed.

[0067] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the removable operating rod is clip-on and unclip-off from the lid,

[0068] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the operating rod is a single piece with the bottom,

[0069] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the operating rod is attached to the bottom and is removable from the bottom

[0070] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the removable operating rod is screwable and unscrewable from the base,

[0071] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the removable operating rod is clip-on and unclip-off from the base,

[0072] - the jar further comprises at least one or more of the following elements: - a - a pierceable and self-sealing upstream plug arranged in the upstream orifice, - a pierceable and self-sealing downstream plug arranged in the downstream orifice, - an upstream non-return valve, in particular of the "duckbill" type, arranged in the upstream orifice, - a downstream non-return valve, in particular of the "duckbill" type, arranged in the downstream orifice, - an anti-overflow valve arranged in the downstream orifice and intended to prevent the passage of the biological sample towards the downstream tubing, - a peripheral sealing gasket disposed around the periphery of the moving wall to ensure a seal between the moving wall and the fixed wall(s) with which the moving wall remains in contact during its movements,

[0073] - as an alternative to pierceable and self-sealing plugs, the upstream and downstream orifices They include shut-off valves configured to open when the tubing is installed on the nipples and to close when the tubing is not installed.

[0074] - the closing valves are non-return,

[0075] - the closing valves are of the "duckbill" type,

[0076] - in the case where the movable wall is the lid, the peripheral sealing gasket is arranged around the periphery of the lid,

[0077] - in the case where the movable wall is the bottom, the peripheral sealing gasket is arranged around the periphery of the base,

[0078] - the jar is specially configured to be centrifuged,

[0079] - the biological sample is a tissue sample,

[0080] - the biological sample is a fluid sample,

[0081] - the biological sample is a mixed tissue and fluid sample,

[0082] - the biological sample is a sample of adipose tissue,

[0083] - the jar is intended to be used during liposuction,

[0084] - the jar is intended to be used during a "lipofilling" (i.e. liposuction followed by reinjection of adipose tissue extracts).

[0085] A method for implementing the device according to the invention with its variable internal volume jar is also proposed. More specifically, the method for implementing the device according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0086] - a step of collecting a biological sample by aspiration into a jar,

[0087] - a step of preparing an extract of said sample resulting in the formation in the jar several stratified phases in layers, one layer of which contains the extract,

[0088] - a step of recovering the extract through the extract outlet following the opening of the actuation valve (9) and by changing the internal volume of the jar.

[0089] Advantageously, the process further comprises at least one step of washing the biological sample in which a washing product is introduced into the jar and a washing residue is removed from the jar through the extract outlet and by modifying the internal volume of the jar.

[0090] Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a vent through the walls of the jar. Such a vent is generally equipped with a filter with a pore diameter of 0.22 µm, which eliminates most of the bacteria, viruses, and fungi present in the ambient air but has the disadvantage of significantly limiting the permissible airflow. As a result, the flow rate of substances exiting a traditional jar is low, which increases the duration of the procedure and the intervention.

[0091] Thanks to the invention, we have a medical device that allows us to keep all the steps of the sampling and reinjection protocol in a closed circuit, in particular during the steps of a "lipofilling". Brief description of the drawings

[0092] [Fig. 1] represents a vertical cross-sectional diagram of a jar according to the invention,

[0093] [Fig.2] represents a top view diagram of the jar of [Fig.1], the lid of the with the jar locked in a fixed, raised position within the cylindrical wall of the jar.

[0094] [Fig.3] represents a top view diagram of the jar of [Fig.1], the lid of the jar being unlocked and able to slide like a piston along the cylindrical wall of the jar,

[0095] [Fig.4] represents a diagram illustrating a first step in the implementation of the jar of [Fig.1],

[0096] [Fig.5] represents a diagram illustrating a second step in the implementation of the jar of [Fig.1],

[0097] [Fig.6] represents a diagram illustrating a third step in the implementation of the jar of [Fig.1],

[0098] [Fig.7] represents a diagram illustrating a fourth step in the implementation of the jar of [Fig.1], and

[0099] [Fig.8] represents a diagram illustrating a sixth step in the implementation of the jar of [Fig.1]. Detailed description of an example of implementation

[0100] The following description, in relation to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0101] As can be seen in the figures, in particular [Fig.1], the device according to the invention comprises a jar 3 formed of several walls delimiting a closed internal volume: a cylindrical wall 13, a lower wall forming a bottom 14 and an upper wall forming a lid 2. This internal volume of the jar allows the receipt of the sample and also the preparation of an extract of this sample.

[0102] The cylindrical wall 13 (or more precisely tubular, since it has a certain thickness) is generally in the shape of a right cylinder with an axis that, in the operating position of the device, is substantially vertical. The base of this cylindrical shape can be of any shape. In the illustrated example, it is circular.

[0103] The cylindrical wall 13 has two opposite ends: an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the cylindrical wall 13 is connected to the base 14. The cylindrical wall 13 and the base 14 are fixed to each other and preferably are one-piece. The lid 2 is movable relative to the other walls and can slide against / along the cylindrical wall 13, inside the latter. As a result, the internal volume of the jar 3 varies between a maximum internal volume when the lid 2 is in the upper position and a smaller volume when the lid is lowered, closer to the base 14.

[0104] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the cover 2 has a flexible peripheral sealing gasket 4 located at the periphery of the cover 2 and designed to provide a seal between the cover 2 and the cylindrical wall 13, the cover remaining in contact with the cylindrical wall 13 during its movements. This peripheral sealing gasket 4, which is integral with the cover 2, has a lip for scraping the inner face of the cylindrical wall 13 and is located towards the bottom of the cover 2. Alternatively, this peripheral sealing gasket can be located in a circular groove formed on the vertical circular circumference of the cover. In another embodiment, the cover 2 has two superimposed / staggered peripheral sealing gaskets 4, an upper gasket and a lower gasket in their respective grooves.

[0105] The lid 2, which has a certain thickness, has an upstream opening 10 through which it is connected to a flexible upstream tube 18 through which the sample to be collected in the jar 2 is delivered. The lid 2 also has a downstream opening 11 through which it is connected to a downstream tube 19 connected to an air suction pump. Each of the upstream and downstream openings has a self-sealing, pierceable plug 16 through which an adapter 24 is inserted to ensure fluid continuity between the corresponding flexible tube 18 or 19 and the internal volume of the jar 3.

[0106] In an advantageous embodiment, instead of pierceable plugs, non-return closing valves, for example of the "duckbill" type, are used.

[0107] The cover 2 has on its upper face, in its center, a blind hole 5 having a female thread intended to receive and fix by screwing the male threaded end of an operating rod 1 having a handle 15. This operating rod 1, which is removable, is intended to push down or pull up the cover 2. The operating rod 1 can be made removable / detached and connectable / attached to the cover 2 in a way other than by screwing / unscrewing.

[0108] On the upper face of the cover 2 is arranged a sub-assembly for locking the cover 2 to the cylindrical wall 13 with two latches (7, 8). Each latch has, on the cover 2 side, two slides 6 in which a sliding tab 7 can slide, and on the cylindrical wall 13 side, a notch 8 intended to receive one end of the sliding tab 7 in the locked position.

[0109] In [Fig. 2], the cover 2 is in the locked position, the sliding tabs 7 having been pushed radially outwards so that their ends engage / are engaged in a corresponding tab notch 8. In this locked position, where the cover 2 is in a fixed upper position, the upstream 10 and downstream 11 ports of the cover 2 are accessible.

[0110] In [Fig. 3], the cover 2 is in the unlocked position, the sliding tabs 7 having been pushed radially inwards to disengage their ends from the corresponding tab notch 8. In this unlocked position, where the cover 2 can be moved like a piston, the upstream 10 and downstream 11 ports of the cover are no longer accessible.

[0111] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the notches 8 of the tabs, instead of being individual, are replaced by a single circular groove all around the cylindrical wall 13. This latter option avoids having to correctly position the cover 2 in rotation so that the ends of the sliding tabs 7 are precisely opposite / opposite the corresponding notches 8 of the tabs. With the circular groove, the cover can be positioned in any rotational way and locked.

[0112] In order to prevent the cover 2 from coming loose, four stop members of the type of tabs 12 are arranged at the top of the cylindrical wall 13, these tabs 12 being spaced angularly equally along the upper end, i.e. upper edge, of the cylindrical wall 13. Alternatively, the tabs can be replaced by a continuous circular border.

[0113] The tabs 12 and / or the notches 8 of the tabs (or the circular groove replacing the notches) can be arranged on a crown piece which is attached and fixed to the upper edge of the cylindrical wall 13 after the cover 2 has been slid somewhat down along the cylindrical wall 13.

[0114] The base 14 of the jar 3 has an extract outlet 17 with an actuable valve 9 for opening and closing. The extract outlet 17 is advantageously located in the lower part of the base 14, which has a generally conical shape with the point downwards and the base upwards, connecting to the cylindrical wall 13. This extract outlet 17 is intended to allow the introduction of useful substances into the jar 3 and to allow the removal of substances contained in the jar, in particular the desired extract 21, which is prepared from the sample 20 collected by aspiration.

[0115] Advantageously, the jar has a maximum internal volume of 300 ml, but the maximum internal volume can be larger to suit the type of surgery considered, or even smaller, but preferably not below 50 ml.

[0116] The material used to make the base 14 and the cylindrical wall 13 is preferably transparent in order to be able to visualize the different phases / layers contained in the jar 3.

[0117] The material of the bottom 14 and the cylindrical wall 13 is preferably made of rigid plastic, typically a thermoplastic polymer of the PP / polypropylene or PE / polyethylene type.

[0118] The material of the cover 2, excluding peripheral sealing gasket 4, is preferably made of PE / polyethylene type plastic.

[0119] The cover 2, which has a certain thickness, can be solid or, preferably, be hat-shaped with tubes and overthicknesses in the areas of its lower face corresponding to the upstream orifices 10 and downstream orifices 11 and the blind hole 5 with a female thread, ribs on the lower face side of the cover 2 being able to reinforce the latter.

[0120] The material of the operating rod 1 and its handle 15 is preferably made of rigid plastic, typically a thermoplastic polymer of the PP / polypropylene or PE / polyethylene type

[0121] We will now describe in stages an example of implementation of the jar of the invention by a user for the collection and preparation of adipose tissue.

[0122] - 1st step in relation to [Fig.4].

[0123] The user can receive the jar ready for use, that is, with its lid in the raised and locked position, the internal volume of the jar being at its maximum. If the lid 2 of the received jar 3 is not locked, then the user raises the lid 2 to the raised position if it had dropped, and locks the lid.

[0124] To bring the cover 2 back to the upper position, the user can advantageously put in place the operating rod 1 to pull the cover 2 upwards. This operating rod 1 is put in place and removed by screwing and unscrewing respectively, the end of the operating rod 1 having a male thread and the cover having a blind hole 5 having a corresponding female thread arranged in the center of the cover 2.

[0125] This locking is achieved by acting on the two sliding tabs 7 arranged on the external surface of the cover 2 by bringing their ends into the two notches 8 of corresponding tabs (or the circular groove replacing them) arranged in the cylindrical wall 13, internal side of the latter, towards the upper end of said cylindrical wall.

[0126] The sliding tabs 7 can therefore slide in the guides 6 of the upper surface of the cover 2. In the locked position, the upstream 10 and downstream 11 orifices of the cover 2 are accessible because the sliding tabs 7 no longer cover them.

[0127] The user also ensures that the valve which can be operated by opening and closing the extract outlet port is closed and if this is not the case he closes said valve.

[0128] Next, the user connects the upstream tubing 18, preferably flexible tubing, to the upstream orifice 10 in the cover 2 using an adapter 24, typically a needle or trocar, which pierces and passes through the self-sealing, pierceable plug 16 arranged in the upstream orifice 10. This plug 10 can It may be pre-drilled at the factory, but it remains self-sealing and is therefore in all cases watertight upon receipt of the jar and during its use (except when passing through the 24 adapter).

[0129] However, as mentioned previously, it is advantageous to implement check valves instead of plugs, which also eliminates the need for needles or trocars for the adapter.

[0130] The upstream tubing 18 is connected to a suction cannula or a handpiece of a mechanical sampling device.

[0131] The user connects the downstream tubing 19, preferably flexible tubing, to the downstream port 11 in the cover 2 using an adapter 24, typically a needle or trocar, which pierces and passes through the self-sealing, pierceable plug 16 (or advantageously the non-return valve) arranged in the downstream port 11. This plug 16 may optionally be pre-drilled at the factory. The downstream tubing 19 is connected to a vacuum cleaner or vacuum pump.

[0132] - 2nd step in relation to [Fig.5].

[0133] The user starts up the vacuum or pump and proceeds to collect the adipose tissue which is aspirated and comes to settle by gravity in the bottom of the jar 3, on the bottom 14 of the jar forming a sample 20.

[0134] The filling of the jar 3 can be more or less pronounced and an anti-overflow valve (not shown) is advantageously provided on the side of the downstream orifice 11 to prevent the passage of the adipose tissue sample 20 towards the downstream tubing 19.

[0135] If the user anticipates that they will later need to wash the adipose tissue sample 20 collected in jar 3, they may ensure that jar 3 is not completely filled in order to allow for the addition of a washing agent. It should be noted that in some cases, subsequent washing may be planned even if the jar is completely filled with adipose tissue sample 20 if it is planned to remove part of the contents from the jar before washing, for example, a liquid phase 22 that is not of interest.

[0136] In an embodiment where it is desired that the washing start immediately, the jar is not completely filled and the washing product is added inside the jar through the extract outlet orifice 17 with an actionable valve 9. This washing product is typically a sterile physiological composition.

[0137] Regardless of the stage at which the washing is to take place, the introduction of the washing product into the jar (or any other useful product) is carried out through the extract outlet orifice 17 with an actuation valve 9. For this purpose, the flexible bag or syringe containing the washing product is connected to the actuation valve 9 of the extract outlet orifice 17.

[0138] At the present stage 2, in which the upstream 18 and downstream 19 tubing are in place on the jar 3, and the suction is still active, the washing product can enter the jar through the open valve 9, by suction (created by the pump) and / or by pressure on the bag or by pressing on the syringe. Once the desired quantity of washing product has passed into the jar, the valve 9 is closed.

[0139] At more advanced stages where the upstream and downstream tubing has been removed from jar 3, it will be seen that the introduction of the washing product can be carried out by modifying the internal volume of jar 3 by moving the lid, i.e. sliding the lid 2 against / along the cylindrical wall 13 in the manner of a piston.

[0140] At the end of stage 2, the user removes / disconnects the upstream and downstream tubing, which causes the pierceable and self-sealing plugs arranged in the upstream and downstream orifices of the cover to close.

[0141] - 3rd step in relation to [Fig.6].

[0142] This 3rd step corresponds to the preparation, carried out in jar 3, of an extract of the collected adipose tissue sample 20. Indeed, jar 3 is preferably configured to be able to be centrifuged in order to quickly obtain a separation of the constituents of the collected adipose tissue sample 20 into different stratified phases in layers, one layer of which contains the useful concentrated adipose tissue extract 21. However, the possibility of natural decantation (i.e. without centrifugation) to obtain the useful extract is considered.

[0143] It is understood that in this 3rd step, the actuable valve 9 of the extract outlet orifice 17 is closed.

[0144] Preferably, the extract outlet orifice 17 and its actuation valve 9 are configured to balance the jar in order to reduce as much as possible the vibrations and stresses that may occur during centrifugation.

[0145] In practice, two phases / layers are obtained in the jar, the upper phase being mainly composed of concentrated adipose tissue 21 (this is the useful extract) while the lower phase / layer, denser, is aqueous 22.

[0146] - 4th step in relation to [Fig.7].

[0147] The objective of this 4th step is to remove the aqueous phase 22 from the jar because it is not used for reinjection into a subject.

[0148] This aqueous phase 22 is at the bottom of the jar and the user will use the possibility of varying the internal volume of the jar to expel / evacuate the liquid phase out of the jar through the actuation valve 9 of the extract outlet orifice 17.

[0149] To do this, the user installs the operating rod 1 onto the cover 2 by screwing it in and unlocks the two-bolt locking subassembly (7, 8) of the cover 2 to the cylindrical wall 13 of the jar. For this last operation, the user slides the two sliding tabs 7 of the lid in their guides in order to bring the ends of the two sliding tabs 7 out of the two corresponding tab notches 8.

[0150] It should be noted that in the unlocked position, the upstream 10 and downstream 11 ports of the cover 2 are not accessible because the sliding tabs cover them at least partially. It should also be noted that as long as the upstream 18 and downstream 19 tubes are installed on the cover 2, the tabs and the upstream 10 and downstream 11 ports are configured so that it is not possible to unlock the cover.

[0151] Then the user opens the actuation valve 9 of the extract outlet 17 and pushes the lid 2 towards the bottom 14 by applying pressure to the operating rod 1 in order to evacuate the aqueous phase out of the jar 3. As a result, the internal volume of the jar is reduced.

[0152] During this step, the cover 2 behaves like a piston by moving inside the cylindrical wall 13, towards the bottom 14 having the extract outlet orifice 17.

[0153] - 5th step.

[0154] This step is optional.

[0155] The user may determine that the adipose tissue in the upper phase needs to be washed to remove certain undesirable elements, such as blood cells still present within the adipose tissue. In this case, one or more washes may be performed.

[0156] To perform the wash, the user connects, via the actuation valve 9 of the extract outlet orifice 17, a flexible tube connected to a syringe or a bag filled with a wash product, generally physiological fluid.

[0157] To transfer the physiological fluid into the container to fill it, the user has two options: either apply pressure to the physiological fluid side or aspirate the fluid. According to the first option, by pressing on the syringe plunger rod or the flexible bag, the operator will force the physiological fluid into the container, which will push upwards the unlocked lid. According to the second option, the user will pull on the operating rod 1 to pull upwards the lid 2, which will cause aspiration and an increase in the internal volume of the container 3. This procedure for filling the container with physiological fluid can be facilitated by combining the two options mentioned above.

[0158] The lid 2 will therefore slide up along the cylindrical wall 13 of the jar during this filling and in all cases, this upward movement will stop when the lid comes into contact with the stops 12.

[0159] Once the desired filling has been achieved, the user closes the actuation valve of the extract outlet orifice and disconnects the flexible tubing which is connected to the syringe or a bag of physiological fluid.

[0160] The jar containing the physiological saline solution can then be shaken / vibrated to mix the saline solution with the adipose tissue. Once the mixture has been created, steps 3 and 4 must be repeated to separate the upper adipose tissue phase from the aqueous phase.

[0161] - 6th step in relation to [Fig.8].

[0162] Once any washing has been carried out and the aqueous phase 22 has been removed, the upper phase of concentrated adipose tissue 21 is found at the bottom 14 of the jar. It is then possible to recover this concentrated adipose tissue 21, which is the extract that one wishes to reinject into the subject, via the actuable valve 9 of the extract outlet 17, which is opened.

[0163] To this end, the user connects a flexible tube 24 to the actuated valve of the extract outlet, the flexible tube 24 being connected to a reinjection syringe 23 which will then be used on the subject. In an alternative, the actuated valve 9 is connected to a female Luer-Lock connector of an injection instrument, e.g., a needle, allowing direct reinjection by actuating the operating rod 1 mounted on the lid 2, the jar 3 then being used as a syringe. Other methods of collecting and using the adipose tissue extract are possible.

[0164] In the case of the use of a reinjection syringe 23, the transfer of the adipose tissue extract from the jar 3 to the reinjection syringe 23 can be achieved by pulling / pulling the piston of the reinjection syringe 23 (i.e. aspiration by the reinjection syringe 23) and / or by pushing the operating rod 1 in order to push the lid 2 downwards, which brings it closer to the bottom and causes a reduction in the internal volume of the jar 3.

[0165] - 7th step.

[0166] This step is optional.

[0167] If the quantity of adipose tissue extract is not sufficient, the user may proceed to a new collection of 20 samples of adipose tissue from the same subject.

[0168] The user may optionally rinse the jar with physiological fluid before this reuse by implementing steps 4 and 5 except that in the present case, all residual contents of the jar are eliminated in step 4 and centrifugation or decantation is not necessary after introduction of the physiological fluid into the jar.

[0169] In order to carry out a new collection, the user raises the lid 2 to its high position corresponding to the maximum internal volume of the jar 3 and locks the lid to the cylindrical wall by sliding the two sliding tabs 7 of the lid so that their ends enter the two notches 8 of corresponding tabs of the cylindrical wall 13.

[0170] The user also ensures that the actuation valve 9 in opening and closing of the extract outlet orifice 17 is closed and if this is not the case he closes said valve 9.

[0171] Once the cover 2 is locked, the upstream orifices 10 and downstream orifices 11 become accessible again and it is therefore possible again to connect the upstream 18 and downstream 19 tubes to the corresponding upstream and downstream orifices of the cover.

[0172] Steps 1 to 7 can be repeated as many times as necessary.

[0173] It is understood that the implementation methods of the jar of the invention can to be adapted to particular needs. In addition, it is provided that the sliding tongue 7 is constrained by a spring or an elastic tab in the locked position, that is to say that the spring or elastic tab pushes the sliding tongue 7 so that its end is constrained to enter the corresponding tongue notch 8 of the cylindrical wall, unlocking requiring an action by the user to counter the action of the spring or elastic tab.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for collecting a biological sample (20) by aspiration and for preparing an extract of said biological sample, comprising a closed jar (3) having: - rigid walls (13, 14, 2) delimiting an internal volume for receiving the sample, - an upstream orifice (10) provided in one of the walls to open into the internal volume and adapted to be connected to an upstream tube (18) through which the sample (20) arrives, - a downstream orifice (11) provided in one of the walls to open into the internal volume and adapted to be connected to a downstream tube (19) connected to an air aspiration pump, and in which the upstream orifice (10) and the downstream orifice (11) are arranged in an upper part of the jar (3) so that the biological sample (20) entering the internal volume of the jar falls by gravity into a lower part of said jar (3),characterized in that the jar (3) further comprises an extract outlet orifice (17) arranged in the lower part of the jar (3) and equipped with a valve (9) operable between an open position allowing the sample to flow outside the jar and a closed position retaining the sample inside the jar (3), and in that one of the walls, called the movable wall, is movable relative to the other walls under the effect of an operating mechanism, so as to vary the internal volume of the jar (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the internal volume is delimited by a cylindrical wall (13) which, in service, has a substantially vertical axis and which is closed, in the upper part, by an upper wall forming a lid (2) and, in the lower part, by a lower wall forming a bottom (14), and wherein the movable wall is constituted either by the lid or by the bottom, said movable wall being able to slide in the cylindrical wall (13) along the axis of the latter in the manner of a piston.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the extract outlet orifice (17) is provided in the bottom (14).

4. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the movable wall is constituted by the cover (2), the bottom (14) being fixed.

5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising at least one locking subassembly (7, 8) of the cover (2) to the cylindrical wall (13), actuable between - a locked state in which sliding of the cover (2) in the cylindrical wall is prohibited, the cover being held in a high position defining a maximum internal volume, and - an unlocked state in which the cover can slide in the cylindrical wall.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the locking subassembly comprises a bolt including, on the one hand, a sliding tongue (7) forming a bolt mounted externally on the cover and, on the other hand, a notch (8) forming a strike plate provided in the cylindrical wall (13), one end of the sliding tongue (7) coming, in the locked state, into contact with the notch (8).

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the locking subassembly of the cover (2) comprises at least two latches, each comprising, on the one hand, a sliding tab (7) forming a bolt mounted externally on the cover and, on the other hand, a notch (8) forming a strike plate formed in the cylindrical wall (13), the sliding tabs (7) being arranged on the cover (2) so that, in the unlocked state, the upstream orifice (10) and the downstream orifice (11) are at least partially covered by the two sliding tabs (7) and prevent the connections of the respective tubes (18, 19) to the upstream orifice (10) and the downstream orifice (11), and that, in the locked state, the upstream orifice (10) and the downstream orifice (11) are uncovered to allow the connections of the respective tubes (18, 19) to the upstream orifice (10) and at the downstream orifice (11).

8. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the jar (3) includes at least one stop member (12) intended to prevent the lid from sliding upwards, beyond its upper locking position.

9. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the operating member of the movable wall consists of an operating rod (1) accessible externally to the jar (3).

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising at least one or more of the following elements: - a pierceable and self-sealing upstream plug (16) arranged in the upstream orifice (10), - a pierceable and self-sealing downstream plug (16) arranged in the downstream orifice (11), - an upstream non-return valve, in particular of the "duckbill" type, arranged in the upstream orifice (10), - a downstream non-return valve, in particular of the "duckbill" type, arranged in the downstream orifice (11), - an anti-overflow valve arranged in the downstream orifice (11) and intended to prevent the passage of the biological sample (20) towards the downstream tubing (19), - a peripheral sealing joint (4) disposed at the periphery of the movable wall to ensure a seal between the movable wall and the fixed wall(s) (13) with which the movable wall remains in contact during its movements.

11. A method for implementing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: - a step of collecting a biological sample (20) in the jar (3) by aspiration, - a step of preparing an extract of said sample resulting in the formation in the jar of several stratified phases in layers, of which a layer (21) includes the extract, - a step of recovering the extract (21) through the extract outlet (17) following the opening of the actuation valve (9) and by modifying the internal volume of the jar (3).

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising at least one step of washing the biological sample (20) in which a washing product is introduced into the jar (3) and a washing residue is removed from the jar (3) through the extract outlet orifice (17) and by modifying the internal volume of the jar (3).

Images