An Explosion Instrument for Disrupting Tissues and Cells

Abstract

A tissue gun (Model A .22 caliber) is described which uses commercially available .22 caliber blank cartridges developed for power tools such as stud drivers and a captive piston to drive tissue through screens of various pore sizes, or through matrices of quartz, carborundum, ceramics, or other abrasive materials. The same method may be used for greater volumes, with a similar apparatus of larger dimensions. With a solid disc, instead of screens, the gun can also be used to apply high pressures of short duration to liquids or cells in suspension as a means of sterilizing them. Heat, gases, and unburned powder do not reach the tissues because of the close tolerance in the construction of the piston. No frothing or heating of the tissues takes place during disintegration. While this gun was designed primarily for use in germ-free isolators, it has much wider applicability in the laboratory. A particular advantage is that both the gun and the cartridges can be sterilized. The gun is made entirely of stainless steel and is sturdily constructed to contain the pressures developed with the cartridges recommended. It is simple to use and involves little time. Safety features have been built into the gun to prevent accidental discharge or to check the piston if an empty gun is fired.