Method of converting bone stock into bone chips

A method of converting bone stock into bone chips with a modular system including a bone mill configured for use with a base unit having a motor and a drive spindle, the bone mill including a housing having an inlet opening into which bone stock is introduced into the housing and an outlet opening spaced away from the inlet opening and a cutting device mounted in the housing between the inlet opening and the outlet opening:

• attaching the bone mill to the base unit;
• introducing bone stock through the inlet opening;
• actuating the cutting device to convert bone stock into bone chips and discharge the bone chips through the outlet opening;
• and
• harvesting the discharged bone chips.

A method of using a bone mill including a housing having an inlet opening into which bone stock is introduced into the housing, an outlet opening spaced away from the inlet opening and adjacent to a catch tray into which bone chips are discharged, and a cutting device having at least one cutting edge and an opening between the inlet opening and the outlet opening:

• introducing bone stock through the inlet opening;
• actuating the cutting device to convert bone stock into bone chips and discharge the bone chips through the outlet opening;
• introducing bone stock through the inlet opening such that the cutting device strikes the bone stock and chips are cut from the bone stock with the cutting edge and subsequently move through the opening and are discharged, whereby the contact between the chips and the cutting device is minimized to reduce the likelihood that frictional heat generated from such contact will damage the chip;
• applying force to a plunger moveably mounted in the inlet opening to push bone stock against the cutting device to convert bone stock into bone chips and discharge the chips through the outlet opening;
• and
• harvesting the discharged bone chips in the catch tray.