Bone Marrow Extraction System for Deceased Donors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting and preserving bone marrow from deceased donors are inefficient and costly, with significant barriers including a lack of streamlined processes for controlled extraction and preservation, leading to suboptimal cell yields and quality issues due to ischemia and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing bone marrow from deceased donors involving debridement, grinding, filtering, and centrifugation, followed by cryopreservation, using a bone cutting tool and FICOLL density gradient centrifugation to isolate target cells, optimizing the process to reduce ischemia time and increase cell viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual bone marrow extraction methods are used, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the extraction time is excessive (up to 40 hours) and labor requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The bone marrow extraction process is divided into distinct operational modules: bone cleaning, grinding, cell separation, and cryopreservation. Each module can be independently optimized and performed by specialized equipment, transforming the monolithic manual process into a streamlined automated sequence that reduces total processing time from 40 hours to approximately 6 hours while maintaining cell quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary bone cleaning and debridement operations before the actual cell extraction begins. By removing all soft tissue and preparing the bone structure in advance through automated cleaning mechanisms, the subsequent extraction process is significantly accelerated and standardized, eliminating the time-consuming manual cleaning steps
2Reliability
If multiple manual processing steps are performed, then cell quality can be maintained, but the processing time increases to 11 hours and labor costs increase to over $10,000 per donor
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system maintains continuous processing flow without interruption between steps. The bone grinding, cell release, separation, and cryopreservation steps occur in an uninterrupted sequence, eliminating idle time between manual operations and ensuring continuous productive action that reduces total processing time while maintaining cell viability through consistent environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated mechanisms that perform processing steps without requiring skilled manual intervention. The bone grinding apparatus, cell separation systems, and cryopreservation equipment execute their functions autonomously, eliminating the need for expensive skilled labor while maintaining standardized quality control that ensures cell viability
3Quantity of substance
If bone marrow is extracted from deceased donors, then cell yield increases, but ischemia time increases and cell quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs rapid bone cleaning and begins cell extraction immediately after donor death, performing the critical preliminary actions before ischemia can significantly impact cell quality. By quickly removing soft tissue and initiating the grinding and cell release process, the system minimizes the harmful ischemia period while maximizing cell yield from the donor bone
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly extracts and removes all soft tissue and cellular material from the bone structure through automated grinding and separation mechanisms. By quickly taking out and removing the bone marrow cells and other biological materials, the system minimizes the time that remaining tissue can undergo ischemic degradation, thereby preserving cell quality while maintaining high yield
4Adaptability or versatility
If bone marrow is processed at geographically dispersed locations, then donor availability increases, but ischemia time increases and cell quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables decentralized processing by providing modular, self-contained bone marrow extraction and cryopreservation equipment that can be deployed at multiple geographic locations. Each location can independently process donors using the same standardized protocol, maintaining cell quality through consistent environmental controls and processing parameters while increasing overall donor accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains optimal processing parameters (temperature, time, centrifugation forces, cryoprotectant concentrations) across all geographic locations through standardized protocols and controlled environmental conditions. By keeping these critical parameters consistent regardless of location, the system ensures uniform cell quality while enabling processing at dispersed sites to maximize donor availability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the efficient and cost-effective procurement of high-quality bone marrow for clinical use, increasing availability for patients in need and supporting national emergency preparedness by providing on-demand bone marrow transplants and reducing waiting times.
Implementation Method 1
using a bone cutting tool and FICOLL density gradient centrifugation to isolate target cells
Implementation Method 2
centrifugation, followed by cryopreservation
Implementation Method 3
followed by cryopreservation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for extracting bone marrow cells from bone obtained from deceased donors, for preparing the bone marrow for cryopreservation and for obtaining desired cells from cryopreserved and fresh bone marrow.