TISSUE DISAGGREGATION
The present invention relates to a sample processing bag ( 10 ) for use in a tissue disaggregation apparatus ( 200 ) for disaggregation of tissue therein. A clamp assembly 60 comprising a base support ( 70 ) and a clamp mechanism ( 72 ) is configured to retain the sample processing bag ( 10 ) adjacent to the base support ( 70 ) during a tissue disaggregation operation such that action of the tissue disaggregation apparatus 200 acts on the sample processing bag ( 10 ) to disaggregate any tissue therein.
1 . A treading device apparatus for disaggregation of tissue within a sample processing bag, comprising:
at least one foot assembly for treading a sample processing bag; and
a clamp assembly releasably couplable to the treading device apparatus, said clamp assembly comprising a base support and a clamp mechanism configured to retain the sample processing bag adjacent to the base support during a tissue disaggregation operation such that said at least one foot assembly acts on the sample processing bag to disaggregate any tissue therein;
wherein the sample processing bag has a plurality of separate chambers therein, each chamber being accessible via a respective opening and/or access port.
2 . The treading device apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a receiving area provided at a bottom of a chassis thereof comprising a support plate for supporting the base support of the clamp assembly adjacent thereto.
3 . The treading device apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the support plate comprises a heat transfer plate.
4 . The treading device apparatus of claim 3 , further operable to control the temperature of the heat transfer plate to heat and/or cool said clamp assembly.
5 . The treading device apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bag chambers are separable.
6 . The treading device apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the respective bag chambers are interspaced by a perforated and/or pre-cut polymer material provided therebetween.
7 . The treading device apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sample processing bag comprises three bag chambers.
8 . A clamp assembly for a treading device apparatus for disaggregation of tissue within a sample container, the clamp assembly comprising a base support and a clamp mechanism configured to retain a sample processing bag adjacent to the base support.
9 . The clamp assembly of claim 8 , wherein the base support includes a raised end portion for supporting at least one access port of a sample processing bag thereon.
10 . The clamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the raised end portion comprises at least one recessed portion therein.
11 . The clamp assembly of claim 8 , wherein the clamp mechanism is provided at a distal end of the base support.
12 . A sample processing bag for use in a tissue disaggregation apparatus, said sample processing bag comprising a plurality of separate chambers therein, and wherein each chamber is accessible via a respective opening and access port connected thereto.
13 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , wherein the openings are heat-sealable.
14 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , wherein the bag chambers are separable, optionally by separating the chambers along perforations and/or pre-cuts provided in a polymer material interspaced therebetween.
15 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , wherein the sample processing bag comprises three bag chambers.
16 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , wherein the sample processing bag is sterile.
17 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , comprising two layers of polymer material sealed at respective periphery points around the chambers thereof.
18 . The sample processing bag of claim 17 , wherein the polymer material comprises Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
19 . The sample processing bag of claim 12 , configured to be used for cryopreservation of disaggregated tissue.