Cell suspension preparation technique and device
The present invention provides for methods and devices suitable for producing a transplantable cellular suspension of living tissue suitable for grafting to a patient. In applying the method and/or in using the device, donor tissue is harvested, subjected to a cell dissociation treatment, cells suitable for grafting back to a patient are collected and dispersed in a solution that is suitable for immediate dispersion over the recipient graft site.
1. A method for treating a skin condition of a patient, the method comprising:
peri-operatively preparing a cell suspension from a skin tissue sample from the patient, wherein the cell suspension comprises dermal and epidermal cells from the skin tissue sample suspended in a nutrient solution; and
administering the prepared cell suspension to a recipient region on the patient,
wherein the method does not comprise in vitro culturing.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cell suspension comprises dermal cells from a dermal surface facing a dermal-epidermal junction of the skin tissue sample and epidermal cells facing the dermal-epidermal junction.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein preparing the cell suspension comprises subjecting the skin tissue sample to an enzyme to dissociate the dermis layer and the epidermis layer at the dermal-epidermal junction.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the skin tissue sample is subjected to the enzyme for between 5 minutes and 60 minutes.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the skin tissue sample is subjected to the enzyme for between 10 minutes and 30 minutes.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the enzyme comprises trypsin or trypsin-EDTA.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of dispase, collagenase, thermolysin, pronase, hyaluronidase, pancreatin, elastase, and papain.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein preparing the cell suspension comprises physically dissociating dermal cells and epidermal cells from the skin tissue sample.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein preparing the cell suspension further comprises mixing the dermal cells and epidermal cells with the nutrient solution.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cell suspension comprises keratinocyte cells, melanocytes, and fibroblasts.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutrient solution is Hartmann's solution.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutrient solution is a physiological saline.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin tissue sample provides an expansion ratio of 1:10 to 1:80 for treating the skin condition of the patient.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein administering the cell suspension comprises spraying the cell suspension as airborne droplets directly on the recipient region of the patient.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising collecting the prepared cell suspension in an applicator device and attaching a nozzle to the applicator device.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein administering the cell suspension comprises dripping the cell suspension on the recipient region of the patient.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is a skin wound.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is a burn wound.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is at least one selected from the group consisting of leukoderma, vitiligo, and piebaldism.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is a scar.