Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration Device

Bone marrow sampling, a term which includes both biopsy and aspiration, is used in thediagnosis and evaluation of many diseases. These include malignant conditions, especially leukemias,lymphomas and myelomas, disorders of blood and lymphoid cell production, and many other illnesses.Repeated examination of bone marrow may be required to monitor the course of these conditions or theeffects of treatments that may affect the bone marrow. We will develop a marrow sampling devicewhich will penetrate the bone cortex in a rapid and controlled manner, having design features that willminimize tissue damage, combine biopsy and aspiration functions in a single device, and reduce patientdiscomfort. To accomplish this objective, a number of novel prototypic devices will be designed,fabricated and tested. The work represents the rational application of engineering principals to a clinicaldevice, followed by systematic and objective testing to arrive at the best combination of features. Theresulting technological innovation will have a great clinical and commercial potential.