Definition & Description

A Bone Marrow Needle is a veterinary surgical instrument used to collect samples of bone marrow (liquid or solid) for diagnostic purposes. It helps in evaluating diseases like anaemia, leukaemia, thrombocytopenia, and marrow cancers. The two main procedures are: Aspiration – collecting fluid marrow Core Biopsy – extracting solid tissue for histopathology

•  Types:

o   Aspirate Needles (e.g., Illinois, Rosenthal)

o   Core Biopsy Needles (e.g., Jamshidi, Klima)

•  Sizes:

o  Small animals: 16–18G

o  Medium–large dogs: 11–13G

o  Giant breeds: 8–10G

•  Tip Shape:

o  Tapered cutting edge (biopsy)

o  Hollow bore with stylet (aspirate)

•  Length: Varies from 25 mm to 100 mm based on species and sample site

•  Stainless Steel – corrosion-resistant, strong, reusable

•   Disposable options – plastic hub with sterilized stainless steel shaft

•   Sterile-packed – especially for single-use biopsy kits

•  Veterinary Surgical Instrument

•  Available as:

o  Reusable needles (autoclavable)

o  Disposable biopsy kits

•  Product form varies by technique: aspiration vs biopsy

•  Diagnosing hematologic conditions (anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma)

•  Used in small & large animals for systemic illness evaluation

•  Collects marrow from sites like:

o  Iliac crest

o  Proximal humerus

o  Sternum

o  Trochanteric fossa

•  Combined with CBC & imaging for full diagnosis

•  Enables definitive diagnosis of bone marrow diseases

•  Minimally invasive when performed properly

•  Reusable (in stainless steel) = cost-effective

•  High diagnostic yield, especially with core samples

•   Dual use: aspirate + core biopsy

•   Risk of bleeding, infection, or pain

•   Poor technique = dry tap, low cell count, crush artifacts

•   May require sedation or anaesthesia

•   Inadequate sample may require repeat procedure

•   Only trained veterinarians should perform this procedure

•  Ensure full sterilization of equipment pre-procedure

•  Use sedation and local anaesthesia for animal comfort

•  Choose correct gauge for species, site & patient weight

•  Always have core needle on standby if aspirate fails

•  Reusable Needles:

o   Clean with enzymatic detergent

o  Sterilize via autoclave or cold sterilant

•  Disposable Needles:

o  Use once

o  Discard in sharps container

•  Always inspect tip sharpness and fit before each use

Code Type                                                     Description                                                                                                 Code                                     

 HS Code (Global)                                    Aspiration / Biopsy Needles                                                                9018.32

🇮🇳 HSN Code (India)                         Other surgical instruments (needle group)                                          9018.90.29

Use 9018.32 for marrow biopsy needles in international trade, and 9018.90.29 for Indian domestic classification

Aspect                                              Details

Purpose                       To aspirate or biopsy bone marrow for diagnosis

Types                          Aspiration (Illinois, Rosenthal), Core Biopsy (Jamshidi)

Sizes                          8G to 18G depending on species and site

Material                    Stainless steel (reusable), disposable with plastic hub

Advantages             Accurate, minimally invasive, reusable options

Risks                         Infection, poor sample, pain, crush artifact

Sterilization            Autoclave (reusable) or discard (disposable)

Veterinary Use        Yes – across all species with bone marrow pathologies

Human Use             Not for human use (requires CE/FDA variants)

HS/HSN Codes        9018.32 (global), 9018.90.29 (India)

Q: What is a Bone Marrow Needle used for in veterinary medicine?

   To collect liquid or solid marrow samples for diagnosing blood diseases like leukaemia, anaemia, or marrow failure.

Q: Which animals is it used on?

   Dogs, cats, horses, and other mammals—size and site depend on species.

Q: What’s the difference between aspirate and core biopsy needles?

  Aspirate draws fluid; core biopsy retrieves solid tissue to study architecture.

Q: Does the procedure require sedation?

   Yes, typically light sedation and local anaesthesia are used for animal comfort.

Q: Is it reusable?

   Reusable stainless steel versions are common; disposables are used in sterile settings.

Q: What HS/HSN Code applies?

  Use 9018.32 globally and 9018.90.29 in India for import/export purposes.