EP0265176A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endothelial cell seeder, method and kit for seeding endothelial cells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-10-15
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2007-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A kit for seeding a prosthetic vascular graft is provided having an endothelial cell harvester, a vascular graft seeder, a temperature control element, and a support structure to house each of the elements of the kit. The cell harvester included in the kit comprises a rigid rod, adapted to be inserted into a donor vein, a bulb affixed to one end of the rigid rod, the bulb having a plurality of irrigation holes, a rigid tube affixed to the bulb and communicating with the interior of the bulb, an inflatable balloon affixed to the rigid rod, and a multiple lumen flexible tube, with one lumen communicating with the inflatable balloon and at least one lumen communicating with the interior of the bulb, each of said lumens terminating in a valve member at the free end of the lumen. The prosthetic vascular graft seeder comprises an inoculation trough adapted to receive a prosthetic graft therein, and further being adapted to prevent the graft from rolling about its longitudinal axis. The temperature control element comprises a first reservoir that is coextensive with and substantially surrounds the inoculation trough, and which is adapted to be filled with a pre-warmed fluid. The support structure supports the inoculation trough and first reservoir, and further comprises a flat surface having an opening adapted to receive the cell harvester therein. The temperature control element, in one version, has a second reservoir situated directly beneath the opening in the flat surface, said second reservoir being confluent with the first reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm B. Herring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/062; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/36; A61L27/50; A61L27/507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A cell harvester for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor vein or blood vessel, comprising: means for stabilizing a vessel; and irrigation means for introducing a fluid into said vessel, said irrigation means being attached to said vessel stabilizing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cell harvester for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor vein or blood vessel, comprising: means for stabilizing a vessel; and irrigation means for introducing a fluid into said vessel, said irrigation means being attached to said vessel stabilizing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell harvester as defined in claim 1, wherein said vessel stabilizing means comprises a rigid rod adapted to be inserted into said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The cell harvester as defined in claim 1, wherein said irrigation means comprises: a bulb defining an interior volume and having a plurality of irrigation holes, said bulb being adapted to be inserted into said vessel; a rigid tube attached to said bulb at a first end of said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of the bulb, said rigid tube being adapted to be inserted into said vessel; a first lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb at a first end of said first lumen; and first valve means at a second end of said first lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cell harvester of claim 3, wherein said vessel stabilizing means comprises: a rigid rod adapted to be inserted into said vessel; said rigid rod being connected to said bulb in opposing orientation to said rigid tube and situated so that said rigid rod and said rigid tube are in linear alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cell harvester of claim 3, wherein said irrigation means further comprises: a second lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb at a first end of said second lumen; and second valve means at a second end of said second lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cell harvester of claim 5, wherein: said first and second lumen are integral over a substantial portion of the length of each of said first and second lumen; said first valve means comprises a first Luer Lock device adapted to engage a syringe; and said second valve means comprises a second Luer Lock device adapted to engage a syringe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cell harvester for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor blood vessel, comprising: means for stabilizing a vessel; means for occluding said vessel; and irrigation means for introducing fluid into said vessel, said irrigation means being attached to said vessel stabilizing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cell harvester for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor blood vessel, comprising: means for stabilizing a vessel; means for occluding said vessel; and irrigation means for introducing fluid into said vessel, said irrigation means being attached to said vessel stabilizing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The cell harvester of claim 7, wherein said vessel occluding means comprises: an inflatable balloon affixed to said vessel stabilizing means, said balloon being adapted to be inserted into said vessel when in a deflated condition and to distend said vessel when in an inflated condition; and a first lumen communicating with said balloon at a first end of said first lumen, whereby a fluid may be admitted under pressure into said balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cell harvester of claim 8, wherein: said vessel stabilizing means comprises a rigid rod adapted to be inserted into said vessel; and said inflatable balloon circumferentially surrounds said rigid rod and extends substantially along the length of said rigid rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cell harvester of claim 9, wherein said inflatable balloon is composed of an elastomeric material capable of conforming to a distended configuration of said vessel when said balloon is inflated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
The cell harvester of claim 9, wherein said irrigation means comprises; a bulb defining an interior volume and having a plurality of irrigation holes, said bulb being adapted to be inserted into said vessel; a rigid tube attached to said bulb at a first end of said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of the bulb, said rigid tube being adapted to be inserted into said vessel, said rigid tube further being connected to said bulb in opposing orientation to said rigid rod and situated so that said rigid tube and said rigid rod are in linear alignment; a second lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb at a first end of said second lumen; and first valve means at a second end of said second lumen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cell harvester of claim 11, wherein: said first lumen passes through said rigid tube and said interior volume of said bulb; and said vessel occluding means further comprises inflation port means affixed to a second end of said first lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The cell harvester of claim 12, wherein; said inflation port means comprises: a stopcock device affixed to said second end of said first lumen; a first Luer Lock device adapted to engage said stopcock device and adapted to engage a syringe; said first valve means comprises a second Luer Lock device adapted to engage a syringe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The cell harvester of claim 12, wherein said irrigation means further comprises: a third lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb at a first end of said third lumen; and second valve means at a second end of said third lumen, said second valve means being adapted to engage a syringe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cell harvester of claim 14, wherein said first, second and third lumens are integral over a substantial portion of the length of each of said first, second and third lumens.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for harvesting endothelial cells from a blood vessel segment, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a stabilizing rod through a donor vessel segment; (b) injecting an enzyme between said stabilizing rod and the vessel segment; (c) waiting a period of time; and (d) flushing the enzyme and harvester endothelial cells from the vessel segment by flowing liquid through the segment into a receptacle adjacent the segment.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for harvesting endothelial cells from a blood vessel segment, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a stabilizing rod through a donor vessel segment; (b) injecting an enzyme between said stabilizing rod and the vessel segment; (c) waiting a period of time; and (d) flushing the enzyme and harvester endothelial cells from the vessel segment by flowing liquid through the segment into a receptacle adjacent the segment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: occluding each end of said vessel segment against said stabilizing rod, subsequent to said step of inserting a vessel stabilizing rod; and removing the occlusion at one end of the vessel segment, subsequent to said step of waiting a period of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 17, wherein: said vessel stabilizing rod includes an inlet member adjacent one end of said rod, said inlet member comprising a hollow bulb having a plurality of irrigation holes and an inlet tube communicating with said hollow tube; said step of injecting an enzyme includes injecting said enzyme through said inlet member into said segment; and said step of flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells includes injecting a fluid through said inlet member into said segment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said enzyme is collagenase.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step of flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells is performed with said segment suspended vertically over said receptacle so that the resulting effluent flows into the receptacle by gravity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step of waiting a period of time is performed with the segment in a temperature controlled environment.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for harvesting endothelial cells from a blood vessel segment, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a stabilizing rod through a donor segment; (b) occluding a first end of the segment against the stabilizing rod; (c) injecting an enzyme between said stabilizing rod and said segment; (d) distending and occluding a portion of the segment adjacent a second end of the segment; (e) waiting a period of time; (f) removing the occlusion from said second end of said segment; and (g) flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells from the segment into a receptacle adjacent said second end of the segment.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for harvesting endothelial cells from a blood vessel segment, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a stabilizing rod through a donor segment; (b) occluding a first end of the segment against the stabilizing rod; (c) injecting an enzyme between said stabilizing rod and said segment; (d) distending and occluding a portion of the segment adjacent a second end of the segment; (e) waiting a period of time; (f) removing the occlusion from said second end of said segment; and (g) flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells from the segment into a receptacle adjacent said second end of the segment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 22, wherein: said stabilizing rod includes an inlet member adjacent a first end of said rod, said inlet member comprising a hollow bulb having a plurality of irrigation holes and an inlet tube communicating with said hollow tube; said step of injecting an enzyme includes injecting said enzyme through said inlet member into said segment; and said step of flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells includes injecting a fluid through said inlet member into said segment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: said stabilizing rod includes an inflatable balloon adjacent a second end of said rod; said step of distending and occluding a portion of the segment includes inflating said balloon against said portion of the segment; and said step of removing the occlusion includes deflating said balloon.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said enzyme is collagenase.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of waiting a period of time is performed with the vessel in a temperature controlled environment.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of flushing the enzyme and harvested endothelial cells is performed with said vessel suspended vertically over said receptacle so that the resulting effluent flows into the receptacle by gravity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
110 words
An endothelial cell seeder for vascular prostheses, comprising: a cover section having a flat surface and an inoculation trough projecting below said flat surface, said trough having closed ends and a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to said flat surface, said trough further being adapted to accommodate and to resist longitudinal rotation of a vascular prosthesis placed therein; and a base section engaged with said cover section and adapted to maintain said flat surface in a generally horizontal orientation, said base section having a first reservoir, said first reservoir being at least coextensive with and substantially surrounding said trough when the base section is engaged with the cover section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
110 words
An endothelial cell seeder for vascular prostheses, comprising: a cover section having a flat surface and an inoculation trough projecting below said flat surface, said trough having closed ends and a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to said flat surface, said trough further being adapted to accommodate and to resist longitudinal rotation of a vascular prosthesis placed therein; and a base section engaged with said cover section and adapted to maintain said flat surface in a generally horizontal orientation, said base section having a first reservoir, said first reservoir being at least coextensive with and substantially surrounding said trough when the base section is engaged with the cover section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seeder of claim 28, wherein; said inoculation trough has a longitudinally curved section, said curved section having a radius adapted to accommodate a vascular prosthesis so that the vascular prosthesis does not kink when placed therein.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
The seeder of claim 28, wherein: said cover section further comprises; said flat surface having an opening, said opening having a perimeter and being adapted to receive at least one centrifuge tube therethrough; and said base section further comprises; a second reservoir adapted to accommodate at least one centrifuge tube inserted therein, said second reservoir arranged to be aligned with said opening when said base section is engaged with said cover section; said first reservoir and said second reservoir being confluent.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seeder of claim 30, further comprising overflow means for directing and receiving fluid overflowing from said first reservoir.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
97 words
The seeder of claim 31, wherein said overflow means comprises: said base section further having: a third reservoir; a baffle between each of said first and second reservoirs and said third reservoir; and said flat surface of said cover section being in contact with said baffle along a first portion of said baffle; said flat surface having at least one ridge projecting above said surface, each of said at least one ridge being situated adjacent at least one of said closed ends of said trough, and further being situated proximately above a second portion of said baffle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The seeder of claim 30, wherein said cover section further comprises a shoulder element around the perimeter of said opening for funneling fluid into said opening.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
72 words
An endothelial cell seeder for vascular prostheses, comprising; an inoculation trough, said trough having closed ends, said trough being adapted to accommodate and to resist longitudinal rotation of a vascular prosthesis placed therein; temperature control means for maintaining a generally constant temperature in said inoculation trough; and support means for maintaining said trough in a generally horizontal orientation and for supporting said trough and said temperature control means in a self-contained unit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
An endothelial cell seeder for vascular prostheses, comprising; an inoculation trough, said trough having closed ends, said trough being adapted to accommodate and to resist longitudinal rotation of a vascular prosthesis placed therein; temperature control means for maintaining a generally constant temperature in said inoculation trough; and support means for maintaining said trough in a generally horizontal orientation and for supporting said trough and said temperature control means in a self-contained unit.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for seeding endothelial cells into a prosthetic vascular graft, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a endothelial seeder having a trough adapted to receive a prosthetic vascular graft; (b) providing an aliquot suspension of endothelial cells; (c) inoculating a prosthetic vascular graft with a first portion of said aliquot suspension; (d) placing said prosthetic graft within said trough; (e) waiting a period of time; (f) inoculating said prosthetic graft with a second portion of the aliquot suspension; and (g) placing the prosthetic graft within said trough rotated 180° longitudinally from the original orientation of the graft.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for seeding endothelial cells into a prosthetic vascular graft, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a endothelial seeder having a trough adapted to receive a prosthetic vascular graft; (b) providing an aliquot suspension of endothelial cells; (c) inoculating a prosthetic vascular graft with a first portion of said aliquot suspension; (d) placing said prosthetic graft within said trough; (e) waiting a period of time; (f) inoculating said prosthetic graft with a second portion of the aliquot suspension; and (g) placing the prosthetic graft within said trough rotated 180° longitudinally from the original orientation of the graft.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for seeding endothelial cells into a prosthetic vascular graft, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a endothelial seeder having a trough adapted to receive a prosthetic vascular graft and at least one reservoir being at least coextensive with and substantially surrounding said trough; (b) providing an aliquot suspension of endothelial cells; (c) filling said at least one reservoir with a warm fluid; (d) inoculating a prosthetic vascular graft with a first portion of said aliquot suspension; (e) placing said prosthetic graft within said trough; (f) waiting a period of time; (g) inoculating said prosthetic graft with a second portion of the aliquot suspension; and (h) placing the prosthetic graft within said trough rotated 180° longitudinally from the original orientation of the graft.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for seeding endothelial cells into a prosthetic vascular graft, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a endothelial seeder having a trough adapted to receive a prosthetic vascular graft and at least one reservoir being at least coextensive with and substantially surrounding said trough; (b) providing an aliquot suspension of endothelial cells; (c) filling said at least one reservoir with a warm fluid; (d) inoculating a prosthetic vascular graft with a first portion of said aliquot suspension; (e) placing said prosthetic graft within said trough; (f) waiting a period of time; (g) inoculating said prosthetic graft with a second portion of the aliquot suspension; and (h) placing the prosthetic graft within said trough rotated 180° longitudinally from the original orientation of the graft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
69 words
A kit for seeding a prosthetic vascular graft with endothelial cells, comprising: cell harvesting means for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor vessel; prosthetic vascular graft seeding means for seeding a prosthetic vascular graft with endothelial cells; temperature control means for maintaining a stable temperature in at least said seeding means; and means for containing said cell harvesting means, said prosthetic graft seeding means, and said temperature control means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
69 words
A kit for seeding a prosthetic vascular graft with endothelial cells, comprising: cell harvesting means for harvesting endothelial cells from a donor vessel; prosthetic vascular graft seeding means for seeding a prosthetic vascular graft with endothelial cells; temperature control means for maintaining a stable temperature in at least said seeding means; and means for containing said cell harvesting means, said prosthetic graft seeding means, and said temperature control means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
107 words
The kit of claim 37, wherein said cell harvesting means comprises: a rigid rod adapted to be inserted in a donor vessel; a bulb affixed to one end of said rigid rod, said bulb having a plurality or irrigation holes; a rigid tube attached to said bulb in opposing orientation to said rigid rod and situated so the rigid tube and the rigid rod are in linear alignment, said rigid tube communicating with the interior of said bulb; a first lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb; and first valve means at a free end of said first lumen.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
The kit of claim 38, wherein said cell harvesting means further comprises: a second lumen passing through said rigid tube and communicating with said interior volume of said bulb; and second valve means at a free end of said second lumen.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
49 words
The kit of claim 39, wherein said cell harvesting means further comprises: an inflatable balloon affixed to said rigid rod; a third lumen passing through said rigid tube and said bulb, and communicating with said inflatable balloon; and inflation port means at a free end of said third lumen.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
The kit of claim 37, wherein; said seeding means comprises an inoculation trough having closed ends and being adapted to receive a prosthetic vascular graft therein; and said temperature control means comprises at least one reservoir, said at least one reservoir being adapted to hold a warm fluid in contact with said inoculation trough.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
The kit of claim 41, wherein: said containing means comprises: a housing; and a generally flat surface supported on said housing; said inoculation trough is integral with said flat surface; and said at least one reservoir is integral with said housing.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
69 words
The kit of claim 42, wherein: said containing means further comprises an opening in said flat surface, said opening being adapted to receive said cell harvesting means therethrough; and said temperature control means further comprises a second reservoir situated below said opening and adapted to receive said cell harvesting means therein, said second reservoir being confluent with said first reservoir and said second reservoir being integral with said housing.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The kit of claim 43, further comprising: stabilizing means for supporting said cell harvesting means within said opening in said containing means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The kit of claim 44, wherein said stabilizing means comprises a clip adapted to engage said cell harvesting means and further being adapted to abut said containing means at the perimeter of said opening.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
The kit of claim 42, wherein said containing means comprises a tray section having at least one recess adapted to accept medical instruments.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The kit of claim 37, wherein said kit is wrapped in a sterile wrap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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