CYTOBLOCK PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

An apparatus and method that may be used for collecting target cells or tissue and preparing a cell block are disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an instrument for the preparation of a cytoblock.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a kit of components for use with the instrument shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a centrifuge tube containing a fixative solution to which cellular material has been added.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the centrifugation of the centrifuge tube shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating removal of supernatant from the centrifuged specimen by use of a moisture removal device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating transfer of the cellular pellet from the centrifuge tube to a transfer tube after removal of the supernatant.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the transfer of the cellular pellet from the transfer tube into a matrix container containing a pre-warmed matrix material using a tamping device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the mixing of the matrix material and the cellular pellet using a mixing probe.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the cooling incubation of the matrix material/cell pellet mixture to form a gelled specimen.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating the transfer of the gelled specimen from the matrix container to the transfer tube.

FIG. 11A is a schematic illustrating the transfer of the gelled specimen from the transfer tube to a chamber within a tissue cassette using the tamping device.

FIG. 11B is a schematic illustrating an alternative embodiment of a tissue cassette in which the chamber is removable.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustrating the placement of the gelled specimen within a well within an embedding block.

FIGS. 13A-13C are perspective views illustrating various configurations of embedding blocks and wells.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustrating the placement of an embedding tray over the embedding block containing the gelled specimen.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating the placement of the embedding tray on a warming plate.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustrating the placement of the embedding tray on a cooling plate

FIG. 17 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of a matrix container in which the matrix container takes the form of a syringe.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an embedding tray including a dividing insert.

FIGS. 19A-19C are schematic views of additional embodiments of the transfer tube of the present invention.

FIGS. 20-27 schematically illustrates other embodiments of the kit of FIG. 2 according to example embodiments.

FIG. 28 schematically illustrates a collection system according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 29-32 schematically other embodiments of the collection system of FIG. 28 according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 33-36 schematically illustrate another embodiment of the collection system of FIG. 28 according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 37-40 illustrate embodiments of a filter of the collection system of FIGS. 33-36 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 41 schematically illustrates a tray device according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 42-54 schematically illustrate other embodiments of the tube of the kit a FIG. 2 according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 55-65 schematically illustrates additional embodiments of the tube with associated components according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 66 illustrates a transfer forceps according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 67 schematically illustrate different embodiments of a sponge plate according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 68-71 schematically illustrate other embodiments of the tube of FIG. 19A according to an example embodiment.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a flat floor extending in a plane;a tube having sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular to the floor to form a chamber;a needle in communication with the chamber; anda vacuum source in communication with the chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source comprises: a barrel adjacent to the tube; anda plunger movable within the barrel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tube is removably coupled to the barrel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the barrel is screwed to the tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tube is directly connected and adjacent to the barrel

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the barrel is connected to the tube by a joint configured to facilitate separation of the barrel from the tube upon application of manually applied force to the joint.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the barrel is integrally formed as a single unitary body with the tube.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein further comprising a cover extending over an axis of the needle and forming a side opening in the tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle has an opening spaced from the floor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the opening faces in a direction non-parallel to a centerline of the tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second tube having a closed end removably receiving the first tube and the needle.

12. The apparatus of claim of 1, wherein the floor and the needle are connected and are removably coupled to the tube.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor and the tube are integrally formed as a single unitary body.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a cassette comprising:a receptacle having at least one cavity, each cavity having a shape and a size corresponding to a shape and size of the chamber such that the cavity may receive a cellblock formed within and removed from the chamber while substantially maintaining a shape and orientation of the cellblock.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a portable incubation carrier comprising:an inner space configured to receive a matrix container containing matrix to be added to the chamber; anda heater adjacent the inner space configured to heat contents of the matrix container.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a forceps having a plurality of arms outwardly resiliently biased, the arms having lower portions shaped so as to substantially correspond to an inner surface of the tube.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the needle has an end directly connected to the tube and adjacent the floor.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source comprises a vacuum tube configured to supply a vacuum to the chamber.

19. A method comprising: drawing target cells or tissue through a needle into a chamber; andpreparing a cell block in the chamber using the target cells or tissue.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein preparing the cell block includes mixing matrix with the target cells within the chamber.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein preparing the cell block includes: centrifuging the target cells or tissue while within the chamber;removing supernatant from the chamber; andadding matrix to the cells within the chamber after the supernatant has been removed.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising transferring the cell block to a cassette.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising substantially sealing the needle after collection of the target cells or tissue in the chamber.

24. The method of claim 19 further comprising amputating the needle after collection of the target cells or tissue in the chamber.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein drawing the target cells or tissue includes moving a plunger within a barrel connected to the chamber and wherein the method further comprises separating the barrel from the chamber after collection of the target cells or tissue.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the chamber has a floor and sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular to the floor.

27. An apparatus comprising: a tube having a floor; anda needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being directly connected to the tube and adjacent to the floor.