This method for producing a cell cluster group comprises: a step for putting, into a well, a cell suspension obtained by suspending dispersed cells in a medium, using a cell incubator which includes the well and two or more recesses formed in the bottom of the well and in which the area of an opening of each recess in plan view is at most 1 mm.sup.2; a step for centrifuging the cell incubator; and a step for culturing the dispersed cells in the recesses.

A stirring device 11 includes a stirring mechanism 7 and a control unit 15. The stirring mechanism 7 includes a motor 74 and a pedestal portion 77. In the stirring device 11, the motor 74 repeats forward rotation and reverse rotation alternately under the control of the control unit 15. Then, the pedestal portion 77 repeats turning in one direction and turning in the other direction alternately. As a result, the test tube S repeats the movement in one direction and the movement in the other direction alternately, and the vortex rotating in one direction and the vortex rotating in the other direction are alternately generated in the mixed solution in the test tube S. Then, the mixed solution in the test tube S is stirred to be rotated, and is stirred to be moved in the vertical direction. Therefore, the mixed solution in the test tube S can be efficiently stirred. As a result, the time required for stirring the mixed solution in the test tube S can be shortened.

A solid-liquid boundary detection device 20 is a device for detecting a boundary 141 between a solid and a liquid in a test tube 14, and includes a surface illumination 21, an imaging unit 22, and a boundary detection processor 31. The surface illumination 21 illuminates the test tube 14 from outside. The imaging unit 22 is arranged on an opposite side of the test tube 14 from the surface illumination 21, and captures an image including the boundary 141. The boundary detection processor 31 detects the boundary 141 from the image captured by the imaging unit 22.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

Methods and devices are disclosed for processing stromal precursor cells (i.e., cells which can differentiate into connective tissue cells, such as in muscles, ligaments, or tendons) which can be obtained from fatty tissue extracts obtained via liposuction. Normal processing of a liposuction extract involves centrifugation, to concentrate the stromal cells into a semi-concentrated form called “spun fat”. That “spun fat” can then be treated by mechanical processing (such as pressure-driven extrusion through 0.5 mm holes) under conditions which can gently pry the stromal cells away from extra-cellular collagen fibers and other debris in the “spun fat”. The extruded mixture is then centrifuged again, to separate a highly-enriched population of stromal cells which is suited for injection back into the patient (along with platelet cells, if desired, to further promote tissue repair or regeneration).

A method of purifying adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from a sample of adipose tissue, including: flowing the sample onto a polymer surface having at least one vertical helical-shaped portion, vertical threaded shaped portion, or vertical grooved shaped portion at a first flow rate of 10 to 150 ml/min allowing separation into a first remaining sample including mesenchymal stem cells on the polymer surface and into a second resulting solution being evacuated from the polymer surface; flowing a saline solution onto the polymer surface at a second flow rate of 100 to 500 ml/min, the first flow rate being slower than the second flow rate; and collecting the saline solution including purified mesenchymal stem cells in a collector. Also, an apparatus and a system for purifying adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, the use of the apparatus, and a method of isolating and purifying adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from an adipose tissue sample.

An isolation device for adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction is provided. More particularly the embodiments relates to novel systems, devices, methods and kits for adipose tissue collection and stromal vascular fractions isolation from collected adipose. The devices and systems are used in the field of healthcare/regenerative medicine.

A device that allows for either fat graft preparation or cell fraction harvest is disclosed. The device includes a first centrifuge tube configured to receive and process a biological substance, the first centrifuge tube comprising an upper cylindrical portion and a lower conical portion, a sterile tissue inlet fitting, at least one sterile processing fluid inlet fitting, a sterile suction fitting, and at least one sterile extraction port connected to a first extraction tube. The first centrifuge tube further includes an internal space including a screen being positioned therein, the screen being configured to divide the internal space in half, and a filter positioned therein, the filter being positioned below the screen in the lower conical portion of the first centrifuge tube. The device may further include a second centrifuge tube configured to receive and further process the biological substance from the first centrifuge tube. The second centrifuge tube has at least one sterile fitting, wherein the second centrifuge tube is releasably connected via the at least one sterile fitting to one of the at least one sterile extraction ports of the first centrifuge tube.

A centrifugal piston according to an embodiment comprises: a piston body defining a path which extends from the front of the piston to the rear of the piston, and through which substances at the front of the piston can move to the rear of the piston; and a valve disposed on the path and configured to selectively open or block the path, wherein, during centrifugation in which centrifugal force acts on the piston, the substances at the front of the piston are centrifuged while the valve is blocking the path, and, when an external force is applied to the piston while the centrifugal force does not act on the piston, the valve moves freely relative to the piston body, and when the valve opens the path, at least a portion of the substances at the front of the piston can move to the rear of the piston.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.