Apparatus and method to access the bone marrow for oncology and stem cell applications

Abstract

An apparatus for removing portions of bone marrow from a bone is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a hollow drive shaft operable to engage a gear assembly. The hollow drive shaft includes a first end operable to penetrate the bone and a second end operable to allow retrieval of portions of bone and bone marrow. The apparatus also includes a removable trocar. The removable trocar includes an inner channel operable to convey portions of bone and bone marrow. The gear assembly is able to engage and rotate the hollow drive shaft. A motor operable to drive the hollow drive shaft into the bone marrow by rotation of the hollow drive shaft and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor are also included.

1 . A method for performing a bone marrow biopsy using a hollow drive shaft having an inner channel with a removable trocar disposed in the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting a first end of the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone marrow using a powered apparatus;    removing the trocar from the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft;    applying suction to the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft; and    retrieving portions of bone marrow from the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 connecting a second end of the hollow drive shaft to a suction swivel apparatus;    attaching one end of a suction tube with the suction swivel apparatus; and    attaching another end of the suction tube with a receptacle interposed between the suction tube and a source of suction such that a bone marrow specimen may be retrieved into the receptacle.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising removing the hollow drive shaft from a housing containing the hollow drive shaft and an electric motor after use of the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 advancing a trocar having a split-needle configuration past the first end of the hollow drive shaft to open the trocar and insert the trocar into the bone marrow; and    closing the trocar so that a bone marrow specimen is retained by the trocar as the trocar is withdrawn.    
     
     
         5 . A method of performing a bone marrow biopsy using a powered apparatus comprising: 
 attaching a detachable penetrator to a hollow drive shaft;    inserting an inner trocar into the hollow drive shaft and the penetrator;    inserting the detachable penetrator into the bone marrow by rotating the hollow drive shaft using an electric motor;    removing the inner trocar from the outer hollow drive shaft and penetrator;    applying suction to an inner channel of the hollow drive shaft; and    retrieving portions of bone marrow from the inner channel.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising selecting portions of the bone marrow for removal by limiting longitudinal movement of the inner trocar.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of selecting portions of the bone marrow for removal further comprises using a ratcheted gear operable to control the depth of sampling from the bone marrow.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of attaching a penetrator to the hollow drive shaft further comprises selecting from penetrators of various sizes and configurations for attachment to the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising removing the hollow drive shaft from a housing containing the hollow drive shaft and the electric motor after use of the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising directly attaching a suction port to the detachable penetrator when the detachable penetrator is detached from the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 advancing the inner trocar past a first end of the detachable penetrator to open the inner trocar and insert the inner trocar into the bone marrow; and    closing the inner trocar so that a bone marrow specimen may be retained by the trocar as the trocar is withdrawn from the detachable penetrator.    
     
     
         12 . A method of harvesting bone marrow for transplantation using a hollow drive shaft having an inner channel with a removable trocar disposed in the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone marrow using a powered apparatus coupled with the hollow drive shaft;    removing the trocar from the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft;    applying suction to the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft and retrieving portions of bone and bone marrow;    replacing the trocar into the hollow drive shaft;    changing the site of harvest within the bone marrow; and    repeating the steps of removing the trocar from the hollow drive shaft and applying suction to the inner channel of the hollow drive shaft to retrieve portions of bone marrow until a sufficient quantity of bone marrow has been harvested for bone marrow transplantation.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  the step of inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone marrow further comprises using a motor engaged to a gear assembly operable to rotate the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising removing the hollow drive shaft from a housing containing the hollow drive shaft and an electric motor after use of the hollow drive shaft.  
     
     
         15 . A method for performing a bone marrow biopsy using a hollow drive shaft having an inner channel with a removable trocar disposed in the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into a bone and associated marrow using a powered apparatus;    attaching a suction apparatus to a suction port attached to one end of the trocar extending from the hollow drive shaft;    applying suction to the trocar; and    retrieving portions of bone marrow from the inner channel of the trocar using the suction apparatus.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 changing the location in the bone marrow where sampling occurs using an operating mechanism attached to the trocar; and    aligning a sample port in the trocar with one of three sample ports formed in the hollow drive shaft.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone further comprises using a suction swivel apparatus that allows a suction tube attached to the suction port to remain attached while drilling into the bone marrow without twisting the suction tube.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 advancing the trocar past the first end of the hollow drive shaft to open a split needle configuration of the trocar and insert the trocar into the bone marrow; and    closing the trocar so that a bone marrow specimen is retained by the trocar as the trocar is withdrawn.