Bone Marrow Harvesting System for Stem Cell Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for harvesting and processing mesenchymal stem cells and physiological fluids from bone marrow are inefficient, resulting in undesirable cell yields, viability, and purity due to suboptimal procedures and equipment.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a bone core harvesting instrument, a modular receptacle, a securing device, and a processing device that includes a morselizing tool and washing mechanism to optimize the extraction and processing of bone marrow, cells, and physiological fluids, using a Jamshidi needle to create an aperture in the cortical bone and collect tissue, and a processing device to secure and process the harvested material within a modular receptacle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional aspiration methods are used to harvest bone marrow, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the cell yield and viability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell yieldVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the harvesting and processing functions into separate modules: a harvesting device for obtaining bone marrow, a processing device for morselizing and washing, and a receptacle for containing materials. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple functions into an integrated platform: the processing device can be secured to various surfaces (benchtop, portable stand, surgical tray), and the receptacle serves multiple purposes (holding bone marrow, receiving processed material, facilitating washing). This merging increases versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional harvesting procedures are used, then the procedure duration is relatively short, but the cell purity and concentration are undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell concentrationVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous processing through the integrated workflow: bone marrow is harvested and immediately placed in the receptacle, then the processing device performs morselizing and washing continuously. The carrier fluid circulation system maintains continuous action during the washing phase, maximizing cell recovery without unnecessary interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier fluid acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates cell separation and purification. It circulates through the bone marrow material, carrying detached cells and debris to the filtration system, thereby enabling efficient purification without direct mechanical manipulation that could damage cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If extensive processing is performed to improve cell quality, then cell purity increases, but cell viability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell purityVSAvoidcell viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces harsh mechanical processing methods with gentler alternatives: morselizing uses controlled mechanical action rather than aggressive homogenization, and washing uses carrier fluid circulation with filtration rather than high-speed centrifugation or harsh chemical treatments. This substitution maintains cell integrity while achieving purification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes processing parameters to balance purity and viability: the morselizing uses controlled mechanical action rather than aggressive homogenization, and the washing uses carrier fluid circulation with filtration rather than high-speed centrifugation. These parameter changes enable effective purification while maintaining cell integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20210080358A1Systems and methods for collecting, processing, optimizing, and preparing stem cells for further use

Publication Date: 2021.03.18 ELITE IP LLC

AI summary

A system for collecting and processing a sample of an enriched population of mesenchymal stem cells in a matrix of body tissue in which the sample is separated into smaller segments to optimize the ability of the system to organize the stem cells into small working clusters with tissue. The tissue clusters are separated into optimized groupings for further processing and use in medical procedures.