Patent ID: 8142365

Claim:
A method for accessing the intraosseous space of a subject's sternum comprising: contacting the skin covering the manubrium of the subject with a device having: a disposable cartridge and a reusable handle; the disposable cartridge having: a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum and provide access to the intraosseous space of the sternum, the tissue penetrator comprising an outer cannula and an inner trocar; a depth control mechanism operable to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum; the depth control mechanism including depth probes disposed adjacent to the tissue penetrator; and the depth probes operable to deploy the tissue penetrator and to allow the driver to insert the tissue penetrator into the intraosseous space of the sternum; the reusable handle having: a driver, disposed within the reusable handle, operable to drive a portion of the tissue penetrator into the sternum; and the reusable handle configured to releasably engage the disposable cartridge; advancing the tissue penetrator a sufficient distance to place at least a portion of the cannula in the intraosseous space; releasing the reusable handle by twisting the disposable cartridge from the reusable handle; and accessing the intraosseous space via a connector located on the disposable cartridge.