Bone Block Formed from Graft Taken During Surgery

by Sean Hensler, PA-C (Neurosurgery) and Thomas Melin, MD (Neurosurgeon)

The Hensler Bone Press launched in the United States and in select countries internationally on December 18, 2012. It is a Class 2, 510K exempt device, FDA-approved for use. European launch is expected in March of 2013 following CE certification.

During the course of many operative procedures, bone is removed with the use of high speed drills. The bone removed with this technique is usually discarded. Unfortunately, this discarded bone is an excellent source of autologous bone graft for fusion procedures — if separated from blood and other tissues. The Hensler Bone Press (HBP) is a new, innovative device proven to maximize the collection and separation of this previously discarded material to yield high quality autologous bone graft. This device produces compressed, viable autologous bone which is immediately available for use. Many orthopedic, neurosurgical, maxillofacial and podiatry cases involve bone fusion where bone grafting is mandatory. Though many options for bone graft exist, autologous bone graft is universally accepted as the “gold standard”. All other options (synthetic and biologic) attempt to duplicate the characteristics of autologous bone but none has achieved all of these characteristics. This fact, coupled with the high cost of synthetic and biologic grafting options, renders them inferior to autologous bone graft. Though this device may not completely eliminate the need for synthetics or biologics, it will significantly diminish the use of these products. In summary, the HBP is an easy to learn, cost effective device proven to yield high quality autologous bone graft, which will decrease, if not eliminate, the need for synthetic and biologic options.

Founded in May 2011, Hensler Surgical Products, LLC is a Wilmington, NC-based medical device company dedicated to finding and developing innovative products that help to cut costs within health care. Friends and colleagues, Sean Hensler, a Neurosurgical Physician Assistant, and Dr. Thomas Melin, Neurosurgeon, formed Hensler Surgical Products, as a way to conceive, develop and introduce leading surgical innovations into the medical field. Hensler Surgical’s first product to market is the Hensler Bone Press, an innovative 2 stage device, designed to both collect and separate blood from valuable autologous bone generated by the high speed drill during surgical bone fusion grafting procedures while not interrupting the flow of the case.