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 a first end of the trocar into a bone and associated 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 after use of the hollow drive shaft.  
   
   
       4 . A method of performing a bone marrow biopsy using a hollow drive shaft having an inner channel operable to receive an inner trocar having a split-needle configuration within the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting a first end of the hollow drive shaft into a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered apparatus;    advancing the inner trocar having the split-needle configuration past the first end of the hollow drive shaft to open the inner trocar and insert the inner trocar into the associated bone marrow; and    closing the inner trocar to retain a bone marrow specimen as the inner trocar is withdrawn from the inner channel.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising moving the inner trocar between an open position and a closed position.  
   
   
       6 . 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 removable trocar into a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered apparatus coupled with the hollow drive shaft;    removing the removable 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 the associated bone marrow;    replacing the trocar into the hollow drive shaft;    changing the site of harvest within the bone and associated 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 the associated bone marrow until a sufficient quantity of bone marrow has been harvested for bone marrow transplantation.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  the step of inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone and associated bone marrow further comprises using a motor engaged to a gear assembly operable to rotate the hollow drive shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising removing the hollow drive shaft from a housing containing the hollow drive shaft after inserting the hollow drive shaft into the bone and associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       9 . A method for performing a bone marrow biopsy using a hollow drive shaft having an inner channel with a trocar disposed in the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into a bone and associated bone 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 the associated bone marrow from the inner channel of the trocar using the suction apparatus.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 changing the location in the associated bone marrow where sampling occurs using an operating mechanism attached to the trocar; and    aligning a sample port in the trocar with a sample port formed in the hollow drive shaft.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of inserting the hollow drive shaft and the trocar into the bone and associated bone marrow further comprises using a suction swivel apparatus that allows attaching a suction tube to the suction port to remain attached while drilling into the bone marrow without twisting the suction tube.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising selecting portions of the associated bone marrow for removal by limiting longitudinal movement of the trocar.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  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 associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 changing the location in the associated bone marrow where sampling occurs using an operating mechanism attached to the trocar; and    aligning a sample port of the trocar with one of three sample ports formed in 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 removable trocar disposed in the inner channel comprising: 
 inserting the hollow drive shaft and the removable trocar into a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered apparatus;    attaching a suction apparatus to a suction port attached to one end of the removable trocar extending from the hollow drive shaft;    applying suction to the removable trocar using the suction apparatus; and    retrieving portions of bone marrow from the inner channel of the removable trocar using the suction apparatus.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 changing the location in the associated bone marrow where sampling occurs using an operating mechanism attached to the removable trocar; and    aligning a sample port in the removable trocar with a sample port formed in the hollow drive shaft.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of inserting the hollow drive shaft and the removable 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 associated bone marrow without twisting the suction tube.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising selecting portions of the bone marrow for removal by limiting longitudinal movement of the removable trocar.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of selecting portions of the associated bone marrow for removal further comprises using a ratcheted gear operable to control the location of sampling from the associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 changing the location in the associated bone marrow where sampling occurs using an operating mechanism attached to the trocar; and    aligning a sample port of the trocar with one of three sample ports formed in the hollow drive shaft.