Abstract: A system and associated method for concentrating and separating components of different densities from fluid containing cells using a centrifuge includes a container defining a cavity for receiving the fluid. The container has a top, a sidewall extending from the top, and a bottom disposed opposite the top and in sealing engagement with the sidewall. An insert is slidably disposed in the cavity of the container and defines a lumen through the insert. The lumen, which includes a hole and a funnel-shaped upper portion in fluid communication with the hole, forms an open fluid path between opposite ends of the insert. The insert has a density such that upon centrifugation a selected component of the fluid resides within the lumen. A container port is disposed in the top of the container to transfer the fluid into the container and to withdraw a fluid component other than the selected component from the container.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A flexible cannula device includes a solid cannula shaft, a solid cannula tip including an opening, and a coil positioned between and welded to the cannula shaft and cannula tip, the cannula shaft, coil, and cannula tip forming a lumen in fluid communication with the opening. A flexible cannulated drill includes a solid cannula shaft, a solid cannula tip shaped to drill through tissue, a coil positioned between and welded to the cannula shaft and cannula tip, and a handle connected to the cannula shaft. The coil can be a double helix coil comprising an inner coil within an outer coil. A tube inside the coil prevents fluid from leaking between rings of the coil. A cannula system includes an introducer needle and the flexible cannula device. A screw mechanism can adjust a length that the flexible cannula device extends beyond a distal end of the introducer needle.

Abstract: A system and associated method for concentrating and separating components of different densities from fluid containing cells using a centrifuge includes a syringe and a syringe holder, the syringe having a proximal top with a luer port, a sidewall extending from the top forming a syringe tube, and a plunger slidably disposed inside the syringe tube, the plunger forming a sealing engagement with the sidewall, the syringe holder defining a cavity for receiving the syringe, wherein a distal end of the syringe tube is at least partially closed by the syringe holder after the plunger is placed inside the syringe tube.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and associated method includes an introducer needle assembly and an aspiration needle assembly. The introducer needle assembly includes an introducer cannula having proximal and distal ends, each end including an opening, and a screw assembly coupled to the introducer handle. The screw assembly includes a threaded tube and a lead screw receivable in the threaded tube. An outer cover is disposed around and in sealing engagement with the threaded tube and the lead screw. The aspiration needle assembly is receivable in the introducer cannula and includes an aspiration cannula forming a channel for aspirating bone marrow and including a flexible portion that extends from a distal end along a length of the aspiration cannula. A length of the aspiration cannula that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula is adjustable by advancing the lead screw into or reversing the lead screw out of the threaded tube.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and associated method includes an introducer needle and an aspiration needle. The introducer needle includes an introducer cannula and a removable introducer stylet that includes a sharp tip to penetrate bone. The aspiration needle includes an optionally flexible aspiration cannula and a blunt stylet. The aspiration needle is receivable in the introducer cannula when the introducer stylet is removed from the introducer needle. The aspiration cannula forms a channel for aspirating bone marrow when the stylet is removed. The aspiration device also includes a locking mechanism to lock the aspiration cannula to the introducer cannula when the aspiration cannula is received in the introducer cannula, whereby the aspiration cannula can be advanced distally relative to the introducer cannula in a controlled manner, and whereby pulling the aspiration cannula proximally causes the introducer cannula to move proximally with the aspiration cannula.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A device and associated method for centrifuging a physiological fluid includes a container including a tip, a base, and a barrel extending between the tip and the base to hold a physiological fluid. The container includes a plunger positioned within the barrel of the container. The plunger includes a concave collection surface that faces the tip of the container. A plunger gasket seal is in sealing engagement with an inside wall of the barrel of the container. A bottom support is provided to support the base of the container at least partially within the bottom support for use in a centrifuge. The container is coupled to the bottom support using an interference fit. The collection surface of the plunger and at least the barrel can be made of the same material. Advantageously, the device can be used to process blood without the need for any added anticoagulant in the blood.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and associated method includes an introducer needle and an aspiration needle. The introducer needle includes an introducer cannula and a removable introducer stylet that includes a sharp tip to penetrate bone. The aspiration needle includes an optionally flexible aspiration cannula and a blunt stylet. The aspiration needle is receivable in the introducer cannula when the introducer stylet is removed from the introducer needle. The aspiration cannula forms a channel for aspirating bone marrow when the stylet is removed. The aspiration device also includes a locking mechanism to lock the aspiration cannula to the introducer cannula when the aspiration cannula is received in the introducer cannula, whereby the aspiration cannula can be advanced distally relative to the introducer cannula in a controlled manner, and whereby pulling the aspiration cannula proximally causes the introducer cannula to move proximally with the aspiration cannula.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and associated method includes an introducer needle assembly and an aspiration needle assembly. The introducer needle assembly includes an introducer cannula having proximal and distal ends, each end including an opening, and a screw assembly coupled to the introducer handle. The screw assembly includes a threaded tube and a lead screw receivable in the threaded tube. An outer cover is disposed around and in sealing engagement with the threaded tube and the lead screw. The aspiration needle assembly is receivable in the introducer cannula and includes an aspiration cannula forming a channel for aspirating bone marrow and including a flexible portion that extends from a distal end along a length of the aspiration cannula. A length of the aspiration cannula that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula is adjustable by advancing the lead screw into or reversing the lead screw out of the threaded tube.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device includes an outer cannula connected to an outer handle, and a first cannula that fits through the outer cannula and extends beyond a distal end of the outer cannula. The first cannula is connected to a first handle including a mating feature. A removable sharp stylet fits coaxially through the first cannula and is connected to a stylet handle including a mating feature to engage with the mating feature of the first handle, to couple the stylet handle to the first handle. A proximal end of stylet forms an adapter to couple to a drill, the first cannula and stylet rotating together when driven by the drill coupled to the adapter. A second cannula fits through the first cannula once the stylet is removed, a distal end of the second cannula closing off the distal end of the first cannula but leaving open one or more side apertures in the first cannula, to aspirate bone marrow through the open side apertures.

Abstract: A system and associated method for concentrating and separating components of different densities from fluid containing cells using a centrifuge includes a container defining a cavity for receiving the fluid. The container has a top, a sidewall extending from the top, and a bottom disposed opposite the top and in sealing engagement with the sidewall. An insert is slidably disposed in the cavity of the container and defines a lumen through the insert. The lumen, which includes a hole and a funnel-shaped upper portion in fluid communication with the hole, forms an open fluid path between opposite ends of the insert. The insert has a density such that upon centrifugation a selected component of the fluid resides within the lumen. A container port is disposed in the top of the container to transfer the fluid into the container and to withdraw a fluid component other than the selected component from the container.

Abstract: A device and associated method for treatment of tissue in a joint of a mammal includes an energy source and an energy-delivery implement coupled to the energy source. The energy-delivery implement has a distal portion configured to be inserted into the joint, the distal portion having at least one energy-emitting portion. A control module causes the energy source to produce energy in a pre-defined treatment sequence, the sequence comprising at least two pulses of energy separated by an interval. The energy-delivery implement is configured to emit the energy at the distal portion, to create a zone of thermal stress within target tissue, without causing substantial coagulation of the target tissue, wherein the size of the thermal stress zone is substantially less than the size of the target tissue being treated. A biologic can be injected or otherwise delivered into the joint before, during, or after delivery of the energy.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A bone marrow aspiration device and related method includes an introducer assembly and an aspiration assembly to couple to the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes an introducer cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer cannula defines a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being configured to penetrate bone of a patient. The aspiration assembly includes an aspiration cannula that is receivable in the lumen of the introducer cannula and that extends beyond the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration cannula includes a port to aspirate bone marrow, the port being distal to the distal end of the introducer cannula. The aspiration device further includes a mechanism at the introducer assembly to move the introducer cannula and the aspiration cannula in tandem relative to a distal end of the mechanism when the aspiration cannula is positioned within bone.

Abstract: A flexible cannula device includes a solid cannula shaft, a solid cannula tip including an opening, and a coil positioned between and welded to the cannula shaft and cannula tip, the cannula shaft, coil, and cannula tip forming a lumen in fluid communication with the opening. A flexible cannulated drill includes a solid cannula shaft, a solid cannula tip shaped to drill through tissue, a coil positioned between and welded to the cannula shaft and cannula tip, and a handle connected to the cannula shaft. The coil can be a double helix coil comprising an inner coil within an outer coil. A tube inside the coil prevents fluid from leaking between rings of the coil. A cannula system includes an introducer needle and the flexible cannula device. A screw mechanism can adjust a length that the flexible cannula device extends beyond a distal end of the introducer needle.