Bone marrow aspiration system

Abstract

Bone marrow aspiration devices and methods are disclosed for use in preparing a substrate. In general, the device includes an elongate penetrating element, a chamber adapted to retain a substrate, and a fluid extraction mechanism that is effective to pull fluid through the elongate penetrating element, into the chamber, and through the substrate. The device is particularly advantageous in that it will allow for the removal of fluids from a patient's body and the preparation of a substrate in a single process, thereby providing a more efficient method and device for preparing a substrate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 298,371 filed on Nov. 18, 2002 and entitled “Bone Marrow Aspiration System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices and methods for preparing a substrate, and in particular to bone marrow aspiration devices and methods for preparing implantable bone grafts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Bone grafts are often used to treat fractures, gaps in bones caused by trauma or infection, revision joint surgery, and oral / maxillofacial surgery. Bone grafts provide a framework into which the host bone can regenerate and heal. Once implanted, the bone cells weave into and through the porous microstructure of the bone graft to support the new tissue, blood cells and soft tissue as they grow to connect fractured bone segments. [0004] Bone grafts can be prepared from a variety of material...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In one embodiment, the chamber is an elongate, cylindrical barrel, and the fluid extraction mechanism is a plunger disposed within the barrel and having a handle adapted to move the plunger proximally to extract fluid through the device. The chamber is preferably adapted to retain a substrate in a position proximal to an inlet port formed in the distal end of the chamber. In another embodiment, the device includes a control member mated to the fluid extraction mechanism and effective to control the amount of fluid being extracted by the fluid extraction mechanism. The control member is preferably effective to control the rate of fluid being extracted by the fluid extraction mechanism. The control member can be, for example, a trigger mechanism effective to actuate the fluid extraction mechanism to extract a predetermined amount of fluid.

Problems solved by technology

Bone harvesting procedures, however, can result in significant cost and morbidity, including scars, blood loss, pain, prolonged operative and rehabilitation time and risk of infection.

Furthermore, in some clinical settings, the volume of the graft site can exceed the volume of the available autograft.

While this procedure can be very effective, it can also be time consuming typically requiring around 20 minutes for the aspiration procedure, and an additional 20 minutes for the graft preparation procedure.

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