Apparatus and method for accessing the bone marrow of the sternum

A method for accessing the intraosseous space of a subject's sternum comprising:

• contacting the skin covering the manubrium of the subject with a device having:
• a disposable cartridge and a reusable handle;
• the disposable cartridge having:
• a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum and provide access to the intraosseous space of the sternum, the tissue penetrator comprising an outer cannula and an inner trocar;
• a depth control mechanism operable to control the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum;
• the depth control mechanism including depth probes disposed adjacent to the tissue penetrator;
• and
• the depth probes operable to deploy the tissue penetrator and to allow the driver to insert the tissue penetrator into the intraosseous space of the sternum;
• the reusable handle having:
• a driver, disposed within the reusable handle, operable to drive a portion of the tissue penetrator into the sternum;
• and
• the reusable handle configured to releasably engage the disposable cartridge;
• advancing the tissue penetrator a sufficient distance to place at least a portion of the cannula in the intraosseous space;
• releasing the reusable handle by twisting the disposable cartridge from the reusable handle;
• and
• accessing the intraosseous space via a connector located on the disposable cartridge.