Low-Cost Modification to Enhance Bone Marrow Aspiration Efficiency: A Technical Report.
Siddharth Jain1, Hardik Kharbanda1, Priya Maheshwari1
1Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND.
Cureus
|January 30, 2025
Summary
A novel, low-cost modification to bone marrow aspiration apparatus improved suction efficiency, enabling safe collection of large volumes for bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy. This innovation is particularly beneficial for resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bone marrow aspiration is crucial for diagnosing hematological disorders and for regenerative therapies like bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for bone non-union.
- Collecting large volumes of bone marrow aspirate can be challenging with standard equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel, low-cost modification to a bone marrow aspiration apparatus.
- To evaluate its efficacy in facilitating the collection of a large volume of bone marrow aspirate for BMAC therapy.
Main Methods:
- A modification was developed using readily available components from an intravenous (IV) drip set, including a rubber bulb connector and a luer lock connector.
- The modified apparatus was used to collect bone marrow aspirate in a case of femoral non-union.
Main Results:
- The modified apparatus significantly enhanced suction efficiency.
- A total of 90 ml of bone marrow aspirate was safely collected in a single session without complications.
- The cost of the modification was minimal.
Conclusions:
- Simple, low-cost innovations can substantially improve the efficiency and safety of bone marrow aspiration procedures.
- This modified apparatus shows potential for improving BMAC therapy, especially in resource-limited environments.
