Apparatus and method to access bone marrow

Abstract

An apparatus and method for penetrating bone marrow is provided. The apparatus may include a housing such as a handheld body, a penetrator assembly, a s connector that releasably attaches the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft, a gear mechanism, a motor and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor. The penetrator assembly may include a removable inner trocar and an outer penetrator or needle. It may also include a grooved trocar that allows bone chips to be expelled as the apparatus is inserted into bone marrow. Various connectors are provided to attach the penetrator assembly to the drill shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of accessing bone marrow comprising:
 inserting a penetrator assembly into the bone marrow using a powered apparatus;   releasing the powered apparatus from the penetrator assembly; and   attaching a right angle connector to the penetrator assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing an inner trocar from an outer penetrator of the penetrator assembly; and 
 attaching the right angle connector to the outer penetrator. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein removing the inner trocar from the outer penetrator further comprises grasping a handle formed on the inner trocar to disengage the inner trocar from the outer penetrator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein detaching the powered apparatus from the penetrator assembly further comprises releasing a connector attached to the penetrator assembly and the powered apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A system for penetrating a bone marrow comprising:
 a housing;   a penetrator assembly operable to penetrate the bone marrow;   the penetrator assembly including a removable inner tracer and an outer penetrator;   a first connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft;   the drill shaft operable to connect the penetrator assembly to a gear assembly;   a gear assembly operable to engage and rotate the drill shaft;   a motor operable to engage the gear assembly and drive the penetrator assembly into the bone marrow by rotation of the drill shaft;   a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor;   a second connector operable to connect the outer penetrator to at least one section of tubing; and   the second connector comprising a right angle connector.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the penetrator assembly further comprises a penetrator shield. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the first connector further comprises a pentagonal connector. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the first connector further comprises a series of grooves and bars that match and interlock. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the first connector further comprises a magnetic connector. 
     
     
         10 . A system for penetrating a bone marrow comprising:
 a housing;   a penetrator assembly operable to penetrate the bone marrow;   a first connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft;   the drill shaft operable to connect the penetrator assembly to a gear assembly;   a gear assembly operable to engage and rotate the drill shaft;   the motor operable to engage the gear assembly and drive the penetrator into the bone marrow by rotation of the drill shaft;   a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor; and   a second connector operable to connect a portion of the penetrator assembly to at least one section of tubing.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the second connector further comprises a right angle connector. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the penetrator assembly further comprises a penetrator shield. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first connector further comprises a pentagonal connector. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first connector further comprises a series of grooves and bars that match and interlock. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first connector further comprises a magnetic connector.