In-line Cell Collection Device for Arthroscopic Stem Cell Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
During arthroscopic procedures, stem cells and other cells are liberated from tissues but are often lost as they are evacuated with the arthroscopy fluid, necessitating a need for effective devices and methods to collect these cells for potential use in grafts or sutures.
Innovation Solution
A cell collection device comprising a container with a removable lid, inlet port, and outlet port, featuring a graft or suture chamber with two panels that divide the container into compartments, allowing fluid to flow through and collect cells on a graft material such as demineralized bone matrix (DBM), which can be connected to a second device for liberating cells and a suction apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cells are collected during arthroscopic procedures, then cell availability for grafts is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the container collects cells from the surgical site, the graft chamber houses the graft material, and the outlet port connects to suction apparatus. This merging of collection, housing, and delivery functions into one device improves cell availability while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple purposes: it acts as a collection vessel for cells, a transport device for the graft material, and a delivery system connected to surgical instruments. The graft chamber similarly functions as both a protective housing and a delivery mechanism. This multi-functionality improves cell availability while avoiding the need for multiple separate devices.
2Productivity
If a graft chamber with multiple panels is used to collect cells, then cell collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graft chamber is divided into multiple panels that can be selectively opened or closed. This segmentation allows the device to collect cells efficiently by controlling fluid flow through specific compartments while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular panel design rather than a monolithic complex structure.
3Reliability
If graft material is used to collect cells, then cell adhesion is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graft material uses a porous structure that naturally promotes cell adhesion and attachment. This porous material approach improves cell adhesion reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture, as porous graft materials are well-established in tissue engineering and can be produced using conventional manufacturing techniques without requiring complex assembly processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient collection of stem cells and other cells on a graft material during arthroscopic procedures, facilitating their use in regenerative procedures by ensuring they are not lost during fluid evacuation, thereby enhancing the application of these cells in orthopedic treatments.
Implementation Method 1
collecting cells on a graft or suture material
Implementation Method 2
a graft material positioned between the first and second panels and at least partially covering the first and second openings
Implementation Method 3
connecting the outlet port of the device to a suction or aspiration apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide methods of collecting stem cells. The methods can comprise connecting the proximal opening of the in-line cage device to a second device for liberating cells from a tissue in a fluid; connecting the distal opening of the in-line cage device to a suction or aspiration apparatus; and collecting stem cells on the graft or suture material. The graft can be e.g., demineralized bone matrix (DBM), bone, soft tissue, cartilage, tendon, ligament, muscle, adipose tissue, fascia, a suture, or an artificial scaffold. The second device for liberating cells can be an arthroscopic shaver, an arthroscopic bone cutter, an arthroscopic burr, or an arthroscopic drill. The method can further comprise connecting a filter device to the in-line cage device to remove tissue fragments from the fluid.