In order to release most of the marrow cells from possible bone marrow
particles we have for years used repeated aspiration of the aspirate through
a small gauge needle (25 ga.). This seems to work fine, does not appear
to damage the cells much and is fairly rapid. It is however not a very
safe practice. I would like to stop having the people in the lab have to
use these needles while manipulating the patient bone marrow in the lab.
Does anyone have any better procedures for releasing cells in the
particles?
We use the frosted ends of microscope slides for tissues and this works
fine but is impractical for aspirates.
Tom McHugh
Dept. Lab. Medicine
UCSF
mchugh@labmed.ucsf.edu
We routinely use a sterilized fine mesh screen placed over a petri dish,
pull the plunger out of a 12 ml disposable syringe, and use it to push the
marrow through the screen. Use media to flush the screen. The screen can be
purchased from Small Parts Inc and is called wire cloth type 304 ( or you
may use a smaller mesh if desired).
**********************************
* Jan Jacobitz *
* C-V Surgery Lab Manager *
* Children's Memorial Hospital *
* 2300 Children's Plaza Box 220 *
* Chicago,IL 60614 *
* phone: 773-880-4676 *
* fax: 773-880-3088 *
* e-mail:jjacobitz@nwu.edu *
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