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 hollow drive shaft assembly operable to remove bone marrow from a bone for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes comprising: 
 an outer hollow drive shaft operable to penetrate the bone and bone associated marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft operable to be rotated by a motor;    the outer hollow drive shaft having an inner channel operable to convey bone marrow specimens therethrough for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes; and    the hollow drive shaft having one end operable to penetrate the bone in response to rotation of the hollow drive shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 1  wherein the hollow drive shaft further comprises a body having at least one side port operable to obtain portions of the associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       3 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a removable trocar having a tip with a cutting edge.  
   
   
       4 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 3  wherein the removable trocar further comprises at least one side port operable to obtain specimens of the associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       5 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 1  wherein the one end of the hollow drive shaft further comprises serrated teeth.  
   
   
       6 . A hollow drive shaft assembly operable to remove bone marrow from a bone for transplantation purposes comprising: 
 an outer hollow drive shaft operable to penetrate the bone and bone associated marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft operable to be rotated by a motor;    the outer hollow drive shaft having an inner channel operable to convey bone marrow specimens therethrough for transplantation purposes; and    the hollow drive shaft having one end operable to penetrate the bone in response to rotation of the hollow drive shaft.    
   
   
       7 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 6  wherein the hollow drive shaft further comprises a body having at least one side port operable to obtain portions of the associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       8 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 6  further comprising a removable trocar having a tip with a cutting edge.  
   
   
       9 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 8  wherein the removable trocar further comprises at least one side port operable to obtain specimens of the associated bone marrow.  
   
   
       10 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 6  wherein the one end of the hollow drive shaft further comprises serrated teeth.  
   
   
       11 . A hollow drive shaft assembly operable to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow comprising: 
 an outer hollow drive shaft operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft operable to be rotated by a motor;    an inner channel formed in the outer hollow drive shaft;    the inner channel of the outer hollow drive shaft operable to convey specimens of bone and associated bone marrow therethrough;    a first gear attached to the outer hollow drive shaft;    the first gear engaged with a second gear attached to the motor to rotate the outer hollow drive shaft;    an inner channel formed in the outer hollow drive shaft;    the inner channel of the outer hollow drive shaft operable to convey specimens of bone and associated bone marrow therethrough;    the outer hollow drive shaft having a first end operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft having a second end operable to retrieve specimens of bone and the associated bone marrow;    a plurality of sampling ports formed in the outer hollow drive shaft spaced from the first end; and    the sampling ports operable to provide access to the associated bone marrow.    
   
   
       12 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a threaded portion formed adjacent to the first end of the outer hollow drive shaft; and    the threaded portion operable to retrieve a bone biopsy specimen.    
   
   
       13 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a removable inner trocar disposed in the inner channel of the outer hollow drive shaft;    a sampling port formed in the removable inner trocar spaced from a first end of the inner trocar; and    the sampling port of the removable inner trocar operable to be aligned with respective sampling ports of the outer hollow drive shaft.    
   
   
       14 . The hollow drive shaft of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a ratcheted gear attached to the trocar; and    the ratcheted gear operable to change the depth of sampling from the bone marrow.    
   
   
       15 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a first thrust bearing and a second thrust bearing disposed on exterior portions of the outer hollow drive shaft;    the first and second thrust bearings spaced from each other; and    the first and second thrust bearings operable to absorb pressure from the outer hollow drive shaft drilling into the bone.    
   
   
       16 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a trocar disposed in the inner channel of the outer hollow drive shaft; and    an operating mechanism operable to manipulate the trocar and change the depth of taking specimens in associated bone marrow.    
   
   
       17 . A hollow drive shaft assembly operable to penetrate a bone and remove a bone specimen from the bone comprising: 
 an outer hollow drive shaft having a first end operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft operable to be rotated by a motor;    the outer hollow drive shaft having a first end operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    a threaded portion formed adjacent to the first end of the outer hollow drive shaft; and    the threaded portion operable to retrieve the bone specimen.    
   
   
       18 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 17  wherein the first end further comprises serrated teeth.  
   
   
       19 . A hollow drive shaft operable to penetrate a bone and to remove a semisolid substance such as bone marrow from the bone comprising: 
 an outer hollow drive shaft having a first end operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    the outer hollow drive shaft operable to be rotated by a motor;    the outer hollow drive shaft having a first end operable to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;    a threaded portion formed adjacent to the first end of the outer hollow drive shaft; and    the threaded portion operable to retrieve a bone marrow specimen.    
   
   
       20 . The hollow drive shaft assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first end further comprises serrated teeth.