PROTECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING CORNEAL TISSUE

Abstract

A protector assembly for handling, storing and transporting donor tissue in a transfer pipette includes a distal cap and a proximal plug that are respectively engageable with opposite ends of the pipette. Structurally, the pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber which is in fluid communication with an extension tube. The distal cap is dimensioned for friction engagement with the fluid chamber of the pipette and it is formed with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication through the vents with the fluid chamber. On the other hand, the proximal plug is dimensioned for a friction engagement with the extension tube to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette when the proximal plug is engaged with the pipette. In combination, an engagement of the protector assembly with a pipette holding a donor tissue will protect and preserve the donor tissue during handling and transport.

Claims

1. A protector assembly for handling, storing and transporting donor tissue comprising: a tissue transfer pipette formed with a fluid chamber for holding a solution and a donor tissue therein between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, wherein the fluid chamber is tapered in a distal direction to an open distal end and the fluid chamber has an outer diameter D.sub.c at a predetermined distance d on the taper from the distal end of the pipette; an extension tube having an open first end and a second end connected for fluid communication between the extension tube and the fluid chamber of the pipette, wherein the extension tube is formed with an external rib extending radially outwardly therefrom to an outer diameter D.sub.r; a tubular shaped, elongated distal cap having a hollow interior between an open end and a closed end, and formed with a plurality of vents for fluid communication into the interior of the distal cap, wherein the interior of the distal cap defines an inner diameter D.sub.c dimensioned for a friction engagement with the outer diameter D.sub.c of the fluid chamber to establish fluid communication between the vents of the distal cap and the tapered distal end of the pipette; and a cylindrical shaped, elongated proximal plug having a hollow interior between an open end and a closed end, wherein the interior of the proximal plug defines an inner diameter D.sub.i dimensioned for a friction engagement between the plug and a diameter D.sub.r of the rib on the extension tube to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette when the proximal plug is engaged with the pipette.

2. The protector assembly of claim 1 further comprising a container filled with a solution for receiving the protector assembly engaged with the transfer pipette holding a donor tissue therein for protection and preservation of the donor tissue during handling and transport.

3. The protector assembly of claim 2 wherein the solution is selected from the group consisting of Optisol GS and Life4C.

4. The protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the open end of the proximal plug is beveled, and the open end of the distal cap is beveled to facilitate a respective engagement with, and a disengagement from, the transfer pipette.

5. The protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the transfer pipette is made of a clear glass.

6. The protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the proximal plug and the distal cap are made of silicone.

7. The protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the transfer pipette is beveled to facilitate a collection and a discharge of a donor tissue into and out of the fluid chamber.

8. A method for manufacturing a protector assembly for engagement with a donor tissue transfer pipette, wherein the transfer pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber in fluid communication with a proximally extending extension tube, the method comprising the steps of: creating a tubular shaped, elongated distal cap having a hollow interior between an open proximal end and a closed distal end; forming the distal cap with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication paths into the interior of the distal cap, and wherein the hollow interior of the distal cap defines an inner diameter D.sub.c dimensioned for a friction engagement of the distal cap with an outer diameter D.sub.c of the fluid chamber of the tissue transfer pipette to establish fluid communication between the vents of the distal cap and a tapered distal end of the pipette during the engagement therewith; and creating a cylindrical shaped, elongated proximal plug having a hollow interior between an open end and a closed end thereof, wherein the interior of the proximal plug defines an inner diameter D.sub.i dimensioned for a friction engagement of the proximal plug with a diameter D.sub.r of a rib on the extension tube of the tissue transfer pipette, to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette through the extension tube when the proximal plug is engaged therewith.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of providing a container filled with a solution for receiving the protector assembly engaged with the transfer pipette holding a donor tissue therein for protection and preservation of the donor tissue during handling and transport.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the solution is selected from the group consisting of Optisol GS and Life4C.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: beveling the open end of the proximal plug; and beveling the open end of the distal cap to facilitate an engagement and a subsequent disengagement of the proximal plug and the distal cap, from the transfer pipette.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the transfer pipette is made of a clear glass.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the proximal plug and the distal cap are made of silicone.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the distal end of the transfer pipette is beveled to facilitate a collection and a discharge of a donor tissue into and out of the fluid chamber.

15. A protector assembly for engagement with a donor tissue transfer pipette, wherein the transfer pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber holding the donor tissue therein, with the fluid chamber in fluid communication with an extension tube extending proximally from the fluid chamber, the protector assembly comprising: a tubular shaped, elongated distal cap having a hollow interior between an open proximal end and a closed distal end, wherein the distal cap is formed with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication paths into the interior of the distal cap, and wherein the hollow interior of the distal cap defines an inner diameter D.sub.c dimensioned for a friction engagement of the distal cap with an outer diameter D.sub.c of the fluid chamber of the tissue transfer pipette to establish fluid communication between the vents of the distal cap and a tapered distal end of the pipette during the engagement therewith; and a cylindrical shaped, elongated proximal plug having a hollow interior between an open end and a closed end thereof, wherein the interior of the proximal plug defines an inner diameter D.sub.i dimensioned for a friction engagement of the proximal plug with a diameter D.sub.r of a rib on the extension tube of the tissue transfer pipette, to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette through the extension tube when the proximal plug is engaged therewith.

16. The protector assembly of claim 15 further comprising a container filled with a solution for receiving the transfer pipette holding a donor tissue therein engaged with the distal cap and the proximal plug for protection and preservation of the donor tissue during handling and transport.

17. The protector assembly of claim 16 wherein the solution is selected from the group consisting of Optisol GS and Life4C.

18. The protector assembly of claim 15 wherein the open end of the proximal plug is beveled and the open end of the distal cap is beveled to facilitate an engagement of the proximal plug and the distal cap with the transfer pipette and a subsequent disengagement therefrom.

19. The protector assembly of claim 15 wherein the transfer pipette is made of a clear glass.

20. The protector assembly of claim 15 wherein the proximal plug and the distal cap are made of silicone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the protector assembly positioned for engagement with a pipette holding a donor tissue sample in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the protector assembly with a distal protective cap and a proximal plug (portions shown in phantom) engaged with the tissue transfer pipette of the present invention to protect donor tissue during handling and transport;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the proximal plug as would be seen along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 when engaged with the extension tube of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the distal protective cap as would be seen along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1 when engaged with the tissue transfer pipette of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a container showing a protector assembly engaged with a tissue transfer pipette and submerged in a solution inside the container for handling and/or transport.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring initially to FIG. 1 a system for holding, storing and transporting a donor tissue in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the system 10 includes a pipette 12 that includes a fluid chamber 14 for holding a donor tissue 16 therein. It is also shown that the fluid chamber 14 is tapered in a distal direction and has an outer diameter D.sub.c at a predetermined distance d from a distal end 18 of the fluid chamber 14. Preferably, the distal end 18 of the fluid chamber 14 is beveled, as shown, to facilitate the drawing in and the expelling of donor tissue 16 into and from the fluid chamber 14. FIG. 1 also shows that the fluid chamber 14 generally defines an axis 20.

[0018] In FIG. 1 it will also be seen that the pipette 12 includes an extension tube 22 which extends axially is a proximal direction from the fluid chamber 14. Further, the extension tube 22 is formed with a rib 24 that extends radially from the extension tube 22 with a diameter D.sub.r. Still referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that the system 10 includes a protector assembly which includes a proximal plug 26 and a distal cap 28.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 2 it will be appreciated that the proximal plug 26 of the protector assembly is adapted for engagement with the extension tube 22 of the pipette 12. Similarly, the distal cap 28 of the protector assembly is adapted for engagement with the fluid chamber 14 of the pipette 12. In this combination, the tissue transfer pipette 12 is protected during handling, storage and transport. Consequently, the donor tissue 16 that is being held in the fluid chamber 14 of the pipette 12 is also protected.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the proximal plug 26 is formed with a hollow interior 30 that extends between an open distal end 32 and a closed proximal end 34. It is also seen that the hollow interior 30 is dimensioned with an inner diameter D.sub.i to receive the extension tube 22 of the pipette 12 therein for a liquid-sealing, friction engagement with the rib 24. Importantly, when there is an engagement of the proximal plug 26 with the rib 24 of the extension tube 22, the proximal plug 26 will effectively prevent the leakage or spillage of solution in the fluid chamber 14 of the pipette 12 from the fluid chamber 14.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the hollow interior 36 of the distal cap 28 extends from a closed distal end 38 to an open proximal end 40. Further, it is shown in FIG. 4 that the hollow interior 36 of the distal cap 28 is equal to the same diameter D.sub.c that is identified at a location along the taper of the fluid chamber 14. Further, FIG. 4 also shows that the distal cap 28 is formed with a plurality of axially aligned vents 42, of which the vents 42a and 42b are only exemplary. Thus, when the distal cap 28 is engaged with the fluid chamber 14 of the pipette 12, the distal end 18 of the pipette 12 will be positioned in the hollow interior 36 of the distal cap 28.

[0022] The importance of the vents 42 of the distal cap 28 is best appreciated with reference to FIG. 5 where a system 10 is shown positioned in a container 44, where it is submerged in a solution 46 for storage, handling and/or transport. In this combination, the vents 42 of the distal cap 28 ensure continued protective and nutritional contact for the donor tissue 16 with the solution 46, while it is in the container 44.

[0023] While the particular Protector Assembly for Handling and Transporting Corneal Tissue as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.