Apparatus for accessing bone marrow including depth control mechanism

Abstract

An apparatus for accessing bone marrow inside a bone is provided. The apparatus may include a penetrator assembly having a tissue penetrator and a hub. The tissue penetrator my have a hollow cannula disposed in fixed relation to the hub. The apparatus may also have a driver configured to insert a portion of the tissue penetrator into the bone and bone marrow, and a depth control mechanism configured to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the bone and bone marrow. The depth control mechanism may have a sensor configured to detect a position of the bone and bone marrow. The depth control mechanism may also have a mechanical stop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for accessing an intraosseous space within a bone, the apparatus comprising:
 a penetrator assembly configured to penetrate the bone and associated bone marrow;   a driver configured to insert a portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow; and   a depth control mechanism configured to control the depth of penetration of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow, the depth control mechanism comprising a control mechanism configured to activate the driver to insert the portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to claim  0 , wherein the depth control mechanism further comprises a sensor operable to detect a position of the bone and associated bone marrow. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the depth control mechanism further comprises a plurality of probes connected to the sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of probes is configured to contact the bone. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the plurality of probes contacts the bone. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the control mechanism is configured to activate the driver to insert the portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow when the sensor detects that the plurality of probes has contacted the bone. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured receive ultrasound waves. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the control mechanism is configured to calculate a distance between the sensor and the bone based on the received ultrasound waves. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the control mechanism is configured to activate the driver to insert the penetrator assembly a predetermined distance into the bone based on the calculated distance between the sensor and the bone. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the penetrator assembly comprises a hollow cannula and a trocar slidably disposed within the hollow cannula. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a logic board operable to determine advancement of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the depth control mechanism further comprises a gear configured to rotate a predetermined number of revolutions in a first direction, wherein a hub of the penetrator assembly comprises a plurality of ribs, and wherein the gear is configured to engage the plurality of ribs and prevent the tissue penetrator from penetrating further into the bone and bone marrow after the gear rotates the predetermined number of revolutions. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the gear is coupled to a spring, and wherein the spring is configured to increase a resistance of the gear to rotation when the gear rotates in the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the gear is connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a threshold pressure, and wherein the sensor is configured to engage the gear with the plurality of ribs when the sensor detects the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the depth control mechanism further comprises a reverse clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism comprising:
 a first clutch component attached to a portion of the driver;   a second clutch component attached to a portion of the penetrator assembly, the second clutch component in fixed relation to the tissue penetrator; and   an engagement pin attached to one of the first clutch component and the second clutch component and releasably coupled to the other of the first clutch component and the second clutch component,   wherein the engagement pin is configured to release the other of the first clutch component and the second clutch component when the portion of the tissue penetrator is inserted into the bone and bone marrow.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement pin is connected to the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect when a torque acting on the engagement pin falls below a threshold value, and wherein the sensor is configured to release the coupling between the engagement pin and the other of the first clutch component and the second clutch component when the sensor detects that the torque acting on the engagement pin has fallen below the threshold valve. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first clutch component and the second clutch component are vertically disposed in relation to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first clutch component and the second clutch component comprise concentric members, and wherein one of the first clutch component and the second clutch component is disposed around the other. 
     
     
         19 . A method for accessing an intraosseous space within a bone, the method comprising:
 providing a penetrator assembly operable to penetrator the bone and associated bone marrow;   driving the penetrator assembly into contact with the bone;   inserting a portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow;   determining an advancement of the portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow; and   controlling a depth of penetration of the portion of the penetrator assembly into the bone and associated bone marrow.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising detecting a position of the penetrator assembly relative to the intraosseous space.