System and method of bone processing

Abstract

A system and method of processing bone is disclosed. A tissue separator is utilized to separate tissue comprising at least one of muscle, periosteum and connective tissue from bone in a safe, sterile and efficient manner. In one aspect, the particle reducer can include an impeller positioned with respect to a cutting surface on a drum. At least one of the impeller and the drum is rotated by a power source such that harvested tissue frictionally engages the cutting surface. In another aspect, a source of pressurized fluid can be directed at tissue to separate bone from non-bone tissue.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A bone denuder comprising:
 a cutting drum having a cutting surface;   an impeller positioned within the cutting drum;   a shaft coupled to the impeller to rotate therewith; and   a power source coupled to the shaft to provide rotational force thereto.   
     
     
         3 . The bone denuder of  claim 1  wherein the cutting drum includes an interior cutting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The bone denuder of  claim 2  wherein the cutting surface is formed of a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The bone denuder of  claim 2  wherein the cutting surface is formed of at least one raised cutting edge. 
     
     
         6 . The bone denuder of  claim 1  wherein the impeller includes at least one blade radially extending from the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The bone denuder of  claim 5  wherein the impeller includes a plurality of blades and edges of the plurality of blades are positioned with respect to the cutting surface such that blade strain and interference with the cutting surface varies with angular displacement of the impeller. 
     
     
         8 . The bone denuder of  claim 5  wherein the impeller includes at least three blades. 
     
     
         9 . The bone denuder of  claim 5  wherein the impeller includes a plurality of blades and edges of the plurality of blades extend substantially parallel to the cutting surface. 
     
     
         10 . The bone denuder of  claim 1  wherein the impeller is eccentric with respect to the cutting drum. 
     
     
         11 . The bone denuder of  claim 1  wherein the impeller is a brushed impeller including a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         12 . A tissue separator coupleable to a power source for use in separating non-bone tissue from a bone, comprising:
 an external casing;   a cap covering the external casing;   a cutting drum positioned within the external casing; and   an impeller positioned within the cutting drum.   
     
     
         13 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the cutting drum includes an interior cutting surface. 
     
     
         14 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the cutting surface is formed of a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue separator of  claim 13  wherein the cutting surface is formed of at least one raised cutting edge. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the impeller includes at least one blade radially extending from the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue separator of  claim 16  wherein the impeller is formed of a material that exhibits a durometer in a range of 50 Shore A to 97 Rockwell M. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue separator of  claim 16  wherein the impeller includes a plurality of blades and edges of the plurality of blades are positioned with respect to the cutting surface such that blade strain and interference with the cutting surface varies with angular displacement of the impeller. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue separator of  claim 16  wherein the impeller includes at least three blades. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue separator of  claim 16  wherein the impeller includes a plurality of blades and edges of the plurality of blades extend substantially parallel to the cutting surface. 
     
     
         21 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the impeller is eccentric with respect to the cutting drum. 
     
     
         22 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the impeller is a brushed impeller including a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         23 . The tissue separator of  claim 22  and further comprising a plurality of radial impellers surrounding the impeller. 
     
     
         24 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the cutting drum is configured to rotate with respect to the impeller. 
     
     
         25 . The tissue separator of  claim 12  wherein the impeller is configured to rotate with respect to the cutting drum.