JP2002176907A - Spinal cord-removing apparatus and method for removing spinal cord - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spinal cord-removing apparatus for safely removing the spinal cord and the spinal fluid in the interior of the vertebra, and further to provide a method for removing the spinal cord by using the apparatus. SOLUTION: The spinal cord-removing apparatus 1 has a connecting part 2, an air-introducing member 5, a vacuum hose 7, and a vacuum pump 4. The connecting part 2 is connected to the cervical vertebra of the vertebra S, and the spinal cord and the spinal fluid in the interior of the vertebra S are sucked. The air-introducing member 5 can move in the interior of the vertebra S, and has a tip nozzle 22 for introducing air to the interior of the vertebra S. The vacuum hose 1 is connected to the connecting part 2, and the spinal cord and the spinal fluid are transported in the vacuum hose 1. The vacuum pump 4 reduces the interior of the vacuum hose 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a spinal cord removing device, and more particularly to a spinal cord removing device capable of removing spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid without scattering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been various reports on the dangers of bovine spongiform encephalopathy of beef cattle, so-called mad cow disease. In particular, since a cow with mad cow disease was discovered in Japan in August 2001, safety regarding meat has begun to be questioned. Mad cow disease is said to be caused by a type of protein called abnormal prions. It is said that when a human ingests an organ or the like containing this abnormal prion, a symptom called Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD), which is similar to a mutated CJD similar to brain disorder, is produced.

The infectivity of mad cow disease varies depending on the organ, and the infectivity of the brain, spinal cord, eyes, ileum, peripheral nerves, and bone marrow is said to be higher than that of other parts. Of these organs, the brain, eyes, and spinal cord, in particular, need to be excluded as specific dangerous sites. Given this situation,
In slaughterhouses, processing to remove specific dangerous parts from carcasses of cattle to be processed is proceeding. The carcass is a state in which cattle are processed in a slaughterhouse and the head, internal organs and elbow are separated.

[0004]

When the carcass of a cow is further disassembled in half by the spine to form a narrowly defined carcass (half body), a work called spine splitting, which bisects the carcass vertically from the spine, is performed. After the spine split is performed, most of the spinal cord leaking from the spine during the spine split is removed by removing the spinal cord and the like from the bisected spine and rinsing. However, when splitting the spine, the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid may be scattered from the spine and attached to a non-specific dangerous site that is an edible portion.

[0005] For this reason, it is desirable to remove the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid therein from the spine before splitting. As a method for removing the spinal cord and the like from the spine, a method for pushing the spinal cord and the like by sending compressed air into the spine has already been announced. However, the spine has many vertebrae and cartilage (disc)
Therefore, there is a possibility that the spinal cord or the like is pushed out of the gap between the vertebra and the cartilage by the compressed air and adheres to the edible portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a spinal cord removing device for safely removing the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid inside the spine, and a spinal cord removing method using the device.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spinal cord removing device for removing spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid from the spine, comprising a spinal connection, a gas introduction member, a transport member, and a reduced pressure generator. It has a unit. The spine connection is connected to the end of the spine and aspirates spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid. The gas introduction member is movable inside the spine and has an introduction portion for introducing gas into the spine. The transport member is connected to the spinal connection to transport spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid. The decompression generating section decompresses the inside of the transport member.

[0008] The spinal cord removing device removes spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (hereinafter abbreviated as spinal cord, etc.) inside the spine of a target animal to be slaughtered. In order to remove the spinal cord or the like, the spinal connection is connected to the distal end of the spine, and the gas introducing member is introduced into the spine. When the inside of the transport member is depressurized by the decompression generating unit, the spine connection part connected to the transport member starts to suck the spinal cord and the like inside the spine. Further, gas is introduced into the spine by the gas introduction member, and the spinal cord and the like are sucked together with the introduced gas.

Here, gas is introduced into the spine by the introduction portion of the gas introduction member to maintain the air pressure inside the spine, and on the other hand, decompression is performed from the spine connection portion by being sucked by the decompression generating portion. These pressure differences create a gas flow. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently aspirate the spinal cord and the like attached inside the spine together with the gas. Further, the spinal cord and the like adhering to the inside of the spine around the introduction portion are strongly affected by the flow of gas, and thus are easily removed. Since the gas introduction member can move inside the spine, by moving the introduction portion inside the spine, it becomes possible to remove the spinal cord and the like existing in the entire inside of the spine. Further, by moving the introduction portion to the distal end of the spine, it becomes possible to aspirate the spinal cord and the like inside the spine away from the distal end of the spine to which the spinal connection portion is connected.

As a result, the spinal cord and the like inside the spine can be safely removed, and the risk of the spinal cord and the like scattering during the meat processing of the target animal can be suppressed. A spinal cord removing device according to a second aspect is the spinal cord removing device according to the first aspect, wherein the introduction portion has a curved distal end, and has a spout at the distal end and / or the side surface.

In this case, since the leading end of the introduction portion of the gas introduction member is curved, the inside of the spine can be moved with little influence on the bending of the spine. Also,
It is possible to prevent the vertebrae from being caught inside the spine. In addition, the provision of the ejection port at the distal end and / or the side surface makes it possible to more efficiently aspirate the spinal cord and the like by introducing gas.

A spinal cord removing device according to a third aspect is the spinal cord removing device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a spinal cord storing section. The spinal cord reservoir stores the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid aspirated at the spinal cord connection. The spinal cord storage unit has a storage sensor capable of measuring the storage amount and a discharge unit. Here, since the apparatus further includes a spinal cord storage section for storing the spinal cord and the like removed from the spine, the spinal cord and the like can be safely stored without being scattered.

The spinal cord storage unit is provided with a storage sensor. By referring to the signal of the storage sensor, the stored amount of the spinal cord or the like can be confirmed, so that the possibility that the spinal cord or the like overflows from the spinal cord storage unit can be suppressed. In addition, the provision of the discharge unit enables the spinal cord or the like to be manually or automatically discharged when a certain amount or more of the spinal cord is stored in the spinal cord storage unit.

A spinal cord removing device according to a fourth aspect is the spinal cord removing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a portion of the gas introducing member outside the spine is opened to the atmosphere. Here, since the portion of the gas introduction member provided outside the spine is open to the atmosphere, the atmosphere is introduced from the gas introduction member into the spine through the introduction section. As a result, the spinal cord and the like inside the spine are removed due to the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the reduced pressure generating section. Since there is no need to supply gas, an inexpensive spinal cord removing device can be provided.

A spinal cord removing device according to a fifth aspect is the spinal cord removing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the gas introducing member. Here, gas is supplied into the spine from the introduction part by the gas supply part. Thereby, the spinal cord inside the spine can be excavated by the pressure difference between the pressure of the gas supplied by the gas supply unit and the decompression of the decompression generating unit, and the spinal cord and the like can be sucked. Since the pressure of the gas by the gas supply unit can be increased to the atmospheric pressure or higher, the spinal cord and the like inside the spine can be more efficiently suctioned and removed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the spinal cord removing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the gas supply unit continuously or intermittently ejects gas from the introduction unit. Here, the gas is continuously or intermittently supplied from the introduction unit by continuously or intermittently supplying the gas from the gas supply unit. The spinal cord removing device according to claim 7 is the spinal cord removing device according to claim 5 or 6,
The apparatus further includes a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the spine to the gas introduction member.

Here, after removing the spinal cord and the like inside the spine, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply section, so that the cleaning liquid can be ejected from the introduction section of the gas introduction member. Thus, the spinal cord and the like remaining inside the spine can be washed with the washing liquid. In addition, in this case, when gas is also supplied from the gas supply unit, the washing liquid can be ejected in a gas-liquid mixed state from the introduction unit, and the inside of the spine can be more effectively washed. Become.

[0018] A spinal cord removing method according to claim 8 is a spinal cord removing method for removing spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid using the spinal cord removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spinal cord connecting portion is connected to the distal end of the spine. A step, a second step of inserting the gas introduction member into the spine, a third step of reducing the internal pressure of the transport member by the reduced-pressure generating section, and a fourth step of advancing the gas introduction member deep inside the spine. , Is provided.

Here, by performing each of the above steps using the spinal cord removing device, it becomes possible to remove the spinal cord and the like inside the spine. In particular, since the gas introducing member can be moved throughout the spine by the fourth step, it becomes possible to remove the spinal cord and the like attached to the inner side of the spine. Note that each step may be performed automatically, or each step may be performed manually.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
Is shown in FIG. The spinal cord suction and removal device 1 is a device that removes the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (hereinafter abbreviated as spinal cord and the like) existing inside the spine S of beef carcass C by suction. <Overall Configuration> A spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1 includes a connection unit 2, an air compressor 3, a vacuum pump 4, an air introduction member 5,
Storage tank 6, vacuum hose 7, cleaning unit 8,
And an operation panel 9.

The connecting portion 2 joins the cervical spine side of the spine S of the beef carcass C and the spinal cord suction and removal device 1. The connecting portion 2 has a Y-shape, and is connected to the pilot inlet 11 and the vacuum hose 7 for connecting the air inlet member 5 with the pilot inlet 11 and the vacuum hose 7 for preventing air from leaking. 12. It has a cervical vertebra connection port 13 for connecting to the cervical vertebra. The cervical vertebra connection port 13 is provided with a taper at a junction with the cervical vertebra. This prevents air leakage at the time of joining. A suction valve 15 is provided in the vacuum hose connection port 12. By opening the suction valve 15, suction and removal of the spinal cord and the like can be performed.

The air compressor 3 is connected to the air introducing member 5, and introduces compressed air into the spine S by the air introducing member 5. A vacuum pump 4 provided with a supply valve 20 at a connection portion between the air compressor 3 and the air introduction member 5 is connected to a vacuum hose 7. A flow of air to the vacuum hose 7 via the connection 2 is created.

The air introducing member 5 introduces compressed air from the air compressor 3 into the spine S. The air introducing member 5 includes a pilot tube 21 for passing compressed air, and a tip nozzle 22 for introducing compressed air into the spine S.
Consists of The pilot tube 21 has a diameter of 6 to 10 m.
The tube is made of urethane or nylon having a length of about m, and is introduced into the spine S through the pilot introduction port 11 and the cervical vertebra connection port 13 of the connection portion 2. The tip nozzle 22 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a1), the tip has a spherical shape with the same diameter as the pilot tube 21, and the ejection port 2 is provided at the tip.
2a. The tip nozzle 22 is inserted inside the spine S. FIG. 2 (a1) is a side view of the tip nozzle 22.
A top view is shown in FIG.

The storage tank 6 stores the spinal cord and the like sucked from the spine S. The storage tank 6 is connected to the connection 2 and the vacuum pump 4 by a vacuum hose 7. The storage tank 6 has a level sensor 31 and a discharge damper 32. The level sensor 31 detects the storage amount of the spinal cord and the like in the storage tank 6. The discharge damper 32 can be manually opened and closed, and can discharge the spinal cord and the like stored in the storage tank 6.

The vacuum hose 7 transports the spinal cord and the like sucked and removed from the inside of the spine S to the storage tank 6,
Air is transported by the vacuum pump 4. The vacuum hose 7 includes a spinal cord transport section 7a that transports the spinal cord to the storage tank 6, and an air transport section 7b that connects the storage tank 6 and the vacuum pump 4. The washing unit 8 supplies washing water for washing the inside of the spine S. The cleaning unit 8 includes a cleaning water tank 41, an ejector 42, and a cleaning water supply pipe 4.
3. A cleaning water supply valve 44 and a check valve 45 are provided. The cleaning water tank 41 stores cleaning water. Ejector 4
2 is connected to the pilot tube 21 and guides the washing water to the air introducing member 5 by compressed air from the air compressor 3. The cleaning water supply pipe 43 connects the cleaning water tank 41 and the ejector 42. The cleaning water supply valve 44 and the check valve 45 are provided near the ejector 42. The cleaning water can be supplied by opening the cleaning water supply valve 44. The check valve 45 is
Suppress backflow of washing water.

The operation panel 9 receives the operation of the spinal cord suction and removal device 1 and displays an output from the level sensor 31 of the storage tank 6. The air compressor 3, the vacuum pump 4, the storage tank 6, and the operation panel 9 are movable because they are mounted on a movable common bed 51. <Working procedure> The procedure for sucking and removing the spinal cord and the like from the spine of beef carcass C by the spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1 will be described below.

(Preparation work) First, the cervical vertebra connection port 13 of the connection part 2 is joined to the cervical vertebra of the carcass carcass C. At this time, the joining is performed such that the tapered portion of the cervical vertebra connection port 13 contacts the cervical vertebra. Next, the air introduction member 5 is introduced from the pilot introduction port 11 of the connection portion 2 and inserted into the spine S. With this, the basic preparation is completed.

(Suction removal of spinal cord, etc.) The operation panel 9 is operated to operate the air compressor 3 and the vacuum pump 4, and the suction valve 15 and the supply valve 20 are opened.
At this time, the compressed air from the air compressor 3 is
It is supplied at about 200 kPa (about 2 kgf / cm ² ).
As a result, a pressure difference occurs between the air compressor 3 and the vacuum pump 4, and the following air flow occurs. That is, the compressed air from the air compressor 3 is ejected from the inside of the spine S from the pilot tube 21 of the air introducing member 5 via the ejection port 22 a of the tip nozzle 22. Thereafter, the air inside the spine S passes through the spinal cord transport section 7a from the vacuum hose connection port 12 of the connection section 2 and enters the storage tank 6, and further passes through the air transport section 7b to be guided to the vacuum pump 4. Exhausted.

The spinal cord and the like adhering to the inside of the spine S are excavated and removed by the flow of air. The spinal cord
Since it is a tofu-like soft material, it can be separated from the spine S by the flow of air. The spinal cord and the like are stored in the storage tank 6 from the inside of the spine S through the connecting part 2 and the spinal cord transport part 7a by the above-mentioned air flow and own weight. As described above, since the spinal cord and the like are not taken out of the spinal cord suction and removal device 1, it can be safely removed from the inside of the spine S.

When the spinal cord or the like attached to the inside of the spine S near the tip nozzle 22 is removed by suction, the tip nozzle 22
Is manually advanced to the far side (deep part) of the spine S. Accordingly, an air flow can be generated from the deeper part of the spine S toward the connection part 2, so that the spinal cord and the like remaining inside the spine S can be sucked. In addition,
The compressed air from the air compressor 3 may be supplied continuously or intermittently.

When the tip nozzle 22 reaches the vicinity of the innermost part (tail vertebra) of the spine S, it can be considered that almost all of the spinal cord and the like adhering to the inside of the spine S has been removed by suction. At this time, in order to further remove the spinal cord and the like, washing water is jetted from the tip nozzle 22. That is, the operation panel 9 is operated to open the cleaning water supply valve 44. Along with this, the washing water from the washing water tank 41 is mixed in the ejector 42 and is ejected from the tip nozzle 22 into the spine S in a gas-liquid mixed state. Therefore, the inside of the spine S is washed with the washing water, and the remaining spinal cord and the like can be washed away. In addition, by retracting the distal end nozzle 22 and approaching the cervical spine side, the entire inside of the spine S can be thoroughly washed. The washing water containing the spinal cord and the like after washing the inside of the spine S is stored in the storage tank 6.

When the level sensor 31 detects that the amount of spinal cord or the like stored in the storage tank 6 is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the safety device operates to activate the air compressor 3.
Then, the vacuum pump 4 is stopped, and the suction valve 15 and the supply valve 20 are closed. Thereby, the possibility that the spinal cord or the like overflows from the storage tank 6 can be eliminated. Thereafter, the discharge damper 32 is opened to discharge the spinal cord or the like to a discharge pipe (not shown), thereby reducing the amount of the spinal cord or the like stored in the storage tank 6.

<Features> (1) In the spinal cord suction / removal device 1, air is introduced into the spine S by the air introducing member 5, and air is sucked from the connection portion by the vacuum pump 4. The flow of air is generated due to the pressure difference generated by these, and the spinal cord and the like attached inside the spine S can be efficiently sucked. In particular, since air can be sent into the spine S by the air introducing member 5, the pressure difference can be increased. Thus, the spinal cord and the like can be efficiently removed.

In the vicinity of the tip nozzle 22 of the air introducing member 5, the spinal cord is easily excavated and easily removed because the air flow is strongly affected. Since the tip nozzle 22 can move inside the spine S, it is possible to remove the spinal cord and the like attached to the entire inside of the spine S. Further, since the shape of the distal end nozzle 22 of the air introducing member 5 is spherical, it is possible to prevent the inside of the spine from being caught or the like, so that the inside of the spine S can be easily moved.

If the inside of the spine S becomes too high, the spinal cord or the like may be pushed out from between the vertebrae and the cartilage and adhere to the edible portion. 4, the pressure inside the spine S is reduced, so that the possibility that the inside of the spine S becomes high pressure can be suppressed. (2) Since the storage tank 6 is provided in the spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1, it is possible to safely store the spinal cord and the like. Further, the storage tank 6 has a level sensor 31, which can notify when a certain amount of spinal cord or the like is stored and stop the air compressor 3 and the vacuum pump 4. Thereby, the possibility that the spinal cord or the like stored in the storage tank 6 overflows can be suppressed.

(3) In the spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1, the washing unit 8
Is provided, the inside of the spine S from which the spinal cord and the like have been removed can be washed with washing water by the flow of air due to the pressure difference. This makes it possible to remove the spinal cord and the like remaining inside the spine S. Further, since the washing water is mixed with the compressed air from the air compressor 3 by the ejector 42, the ejection port 2 of the tip nozzle 22
Since the gas is spouted vigorously in a gas-liquid mixed state from 2a, the inside of the spine S can be effectively washed.

<Other Examples> (A) In the spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment,
Although the shape of the tip nozzle 22 is spherical, the shape is not limited to this, and any shape such as a sphere or a rugby ball shape may be used as long as the tip is curved and does not catch inside the spine S.

Further, although the ejection port 22a of the tip nozzle 22 is provided at the tip, a plurality of ejection ports 22b may be provided on the side face. FIG. 2 (b1), (b2)
As shown in FIG.
In addition to the above, three air outlets 23a are further provided on the side surface, so that the compressed air and the washing water are also jetted from the side surface of the tip nozzle 23, so that the effect of removing the spinal cord and the like from the inside of the spine S can be obtained. Be larger. 2 (b1) is a side view of the tip nozzle 23, and FIG. 2 (b2) is a tip nozzle 23.
FIG.

Further, in order to improve the drilling effect on the spinal cord, as shown in FIGS.
In addition to the jetting portion 24a, the tip nozzle 24 has three blade portions 2
4b may be further provided. (B) In the spinal cord suction and removal device 1 according to the above embodiment,
An air compressor 3 is provided. However, without providing the air compressor 3, the outer end of the pilot tube 21 of the air introduction member 5 may be opened to the atmosphere. Also in this case, since a flow of air is generated by a pressure difference between the reduced pressure by the vacuum pump 4 and the atmospheric pressure, the spinal cord and the like inside the spine S can be removed by suction. Since the pressure difference is smaller than in the case where the air compressor 3 is provided, the suction speed of the spinal cord or the like is reduced.

(C) In the spinal cord suction and removal apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, the air introducing member 5 is manually moved inside the spine S. However, pilot inlet 1 of connection 2
The air introduction member 5 may be automatically moved inside the spine S by providing a pilot tube moving mechanism for moving the pilot tube 21 in 1.
Further, the air compressor 3, the vacuum pump 4, and the cleaning unit 8 may be automatically operated in accordance with the movement of the air introducing member 5. These settings may be made operable on the operation panel 9.

(D) In the spinal cord suction / removal device 1 according to the above embodiment, when the level sensor 31 detects that the spinal cord or the like stored in the storage tank 6 is a certain amount or more, the safety device detects the air compressor 3. And the vacuum pump 4 stops. However, the discharge damper 32 may be automatically opened to discharge the spinal cord or the like to the discharge pipe.

[0042]

In the spinal cord removing apparatus according to the present invention, a gas flow is generated by a pressure difference generated inside the spine by the gas introducing member and the decompression generating section. This makes it possible to efficiently aspirate the spinal cord and the like attached to the inside of the spine together with the gas. In addition, by moving the introduction portion of the gas introduction member inside the spine, it becomes possible to remove the spinal cord and the like existing in the entire inside of the spine. Further, by moving the introduction portion to the distal end of the spine, it becomes possible to aspirate the spinal cord and the like inside the spine away from the distal end of the spine to which the spinal connection portion is connected. This makes it possible to safely remove the spinal cord and the like inside the spine, and it is possible to suppress the risk of scattering of the spinal cord and the like during meat processing of the target livestock.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a spinal cord suction and removal device is connected to beef carcass.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a tip nozzle. (A1) A side view in the case where the ejection port is provided at the tip of the tip nozzle. (A2) A top view when the ejection port is provided at the tip of the tip nozzle. (B1) A side view in the case where the ejection port is provided at the tip portion and the side portion of the tip nozzle. (B2) A top view in the case where the ejection port is provided at the tip and the side of the tip nozzle. (C1) A side view in the case where the ejection port is provided at the tip end portion and the side portion of the tip nozzle, and further provided with a blade portion. (C2) A top view in the case where the ejection port is provided at the tip and the side face of the tip nozzle, and further provided with a blade.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spinal cord suction removal apparatus 2 Connection part 3 Air compressor 4 Vacuum pump 5 Air introduction member 6 Storage tank 7 Vacuum hose 8 Cleaning part 21 Pilot tube 22, 23, 24 Tip nozzle 22a, 23a, 24a Spout 31 Level sensor 41 Cleaning water Tank 42 Ejector

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A spinal cord removing device for removing spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid from a spine, wherein the spinal cord is connected to a distal end of the spine, and is connected to a spine connection portion for sucking spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid, and is movable inside the spine. A gas introduction member having an introduction portion for introducing gas into the spine, a transport member connected to the spine connection portion, for transporting spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid, and a decompression generating portion for decompressing the interior of the transport member. A spinal cord removal device. 2. The introduction section has a curved distal end,
The spinal cord removing device according to claim 1, wherein the spinal cord removing device has an ejection port at a distal end portion and / or a side portion. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a spinal cord storage unit that stores the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid sucked at the spinal cord connection unit and has a storage sensor capable of measuring a storage amount and a discharge unit.
Or the spinal cord removal device according to 2. 4. The spinal cord removing device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the gas introduction member outside the spine is opened to the atmosphere. 5. The spinal cord removing device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the gas introduction member. 6. The spinal cord removing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the gas supply unit continuously or intermittently ejects gas from the introduction unit. 7. The spinal cord removing device according to claim 5, further comprising a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the spine to the gas introduction member. 8. A spinal cord removing method for removing spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid by the spinal cord removing device according to claim 1, wherein the first step connects the spinal connection to the distal end of the spine, and the gas introducing member. A second step of inserting the inside of the spine, a third step of reducing the internal pressure of the transport member by the reduced-pressure generating section, and a fourth step of advancing the gas introduction member to the interior of the spine. A spinal cord removal method comprising: