Misonix | Bone Scalpel | Which Medical Device

Description

From Which Medical Device

The Misonix Bone Scalpel is an ultrasonic tissue-specific bone cutting device. Ultrasonic scalpels have been available for several years but are more commonly used in general or liver surgery. This device is manufactured by Misonix, whose portfolio includes a High-Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) device for the management of prostate cancer.

Apparently, the device has the ability to cut bone without damaging underlying or adjacent soft tissues and it therefore lends itself to spinal applications and, in particular, laminectomy when the underlying dura is at risk. The process generates less heat and is probably more controllable than diathermy or mechanical (eg burring) techniques.

When applied to an egg (see attached video), the shell can be precisely removed without damaging the underlying membrane. This may provide potential, particularly if the device is reliable enough to survive the environment of the operating theatre. When demonstrated, the device didn’t seem to have much of a time penalty associated with using it. This may have the potential as the future of bone cutting devices. It may also be helpful where it is important not to devascularise or cauterise bone by using heat-generating cutting devices such as a saw when harvesting bone graft or performing an osteotomy where a clinician is hoping for bone ingrowth into an implant.

Have you used the Misonix BoneScalpel in clinical practice? Please contribute with a review.