Patent ID: 8109919
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for aspirating bone marrow and introducing at least one enriched population of cells into a body, comprising: introducing a drill tip attached at a distal end of an aspiration cannula into a bone marrow cavity through an entry port defined along the cavity, wherein the cannula has a flexible length which is deflectable in all directions relative to a proximal end of the length which is coupled to a handle; advancing the aspiration cannula along a first path within the cavity while rotating the drill tip, wherein the drill tip comprises a proximal fluted portion that is tapered in a distal direction from a proximal end of the drill tip and a distal portion having a rounded blunt tip, where the drill tip terminates at the rounded blunt tip such that the drill tip moves sideways upon encountering a surface of cortical bone within the cavity without causing trauma to the surface; aspirating a first portion of bone marrow from the cavity into one or more openings defined near the drill tip while rotating the drill tip; processing the aspirated bone marrow to enrich at least one population of cells contained therewithin; and, introducing the enriched at least one population of cells into a tissue region of interest.