Device for dispensing bone cement by a surgical robot

A device for surgical robots allows precise and automated dispensing of bone cement, addressing the limitations of manual application and enhancing surgical precision in joint prosthesis implantation.

JP7777174B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-27HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024061820
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-05-04
Filing Date
2024-04-07
Publication Date
2025-11-27
Estimated Expiration
2044-04-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current surgical methods for applying PMMA bone cement, such as during joint prosthesis implantation, lack precision and automation, especially when using surgical robots, leading to inconsistent cement distribution and increased manual effort.

Method used

A device connectable to a surgical robot for precise, controlled dispensing of bone cement, capable of metering and extruding cement from a cartridge, with optional mixing capabilities, using pneumatic or hydraulic drives, and equipped with sensors for volume control.

Benefits of technology

Enables precise, automated application of bone cement, reducing manual labor and ensuring uniform distribution, compatible with surgical robots for improved implantation accuracy.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a dispensing device for machine application of PMMA bone cement.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a device 100 for dispensing bone cement by means of a machine, the device including: a connection unit 101 configured for connection to a surgical robot; a press-out unit 102 configured for dispensing bone cement; a receiving unit 103 configured for receiving a container containing bone cement; and an interface 105 configured for connection to a control unit, in order to dispense a predefined amount of bone cement from the container by means of the press-out unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical technology, and in particular to devices for dispensing bone cement by a surgical robot. These devices can be used during the implantation of medical implants such as joint spacers. Such devices can be connected to or be part of a surgical robot. A method for mechanically applying PMMA bone cement is also described. [Background technology]

[0002] PMMA bone cement is used in surgery and orthopedics to fix artificial joints within bone tissue. PMMA bone cement typically consists of a liquid monomer component and a powder component. The monomer component typically contains the monomer methyl methacrylate and an activator (N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine) dissolved therein. The powder component, also known as bone cement powder, typically contains one or more polymers produced by polymerization, preferably suspension polymerization, based on methyl methacrylate and comonomers such as styrene, methyl acrylate, or similar monomers, a radiopaque agent, and the initiator dibenzoyl peroxide. When the powder component is mixed with the monomer component, the polymer of the powder component expands in the methyl methacrylate, creating a plastically deformable dough that becomes the actual bone cement. When the powder component is mixed with the monomer component, the activator N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine reacts with the dibenzoyl peroxide to form radicals. The formed radicals initiate the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. As the polymerization of methyl methacrylate progresses, the viscosity of the cement dough increases until the cement dough solidifies. The starting components described above, the bone cement dough formed therefrom, and the bone cement formed as a result of the hardening of the bone cement dough are individually and collectively referred to herein as "bone cement."

[0003] Polymethyl methacrylate bone cement can be mixed by mixing the cement powder with the monomer liquid in a suitable mixing beaker with the aid of a spatula. The bone cement dough can contain air bubbles, which can adversely affect the mechanical properties of the hardened bone cement. The bone cement dough mixed in the mixing beaker is typically applied using a spatula.

[0004] To avoid entrapment of air in the bone cement dough, several vacuum cementing systems have been described in which the cement components are mixed in a cartridge using a hand-operated mixer. As examples, the following documents are cited: U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,105(A), U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,184(A), U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,263(A), U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,168(A), U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,241(A), International Publication No. 99 / 67015(A1), European Patent No. 1020167(A2), U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,821(A), European Patent No. 1016452(A2), German Patent No. 3640279(A1), International Publication No. 94 / 26403(A1), European Patent No. 1005901(A2), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,232(A).

[0005] A further development of cementation technology is a cementation system in which both the cement powder and the monomer liquid are already packaged in separate compartments of a cartridge system and are only mixed together in the cartridge system immediately prior to cement application. Such closed "complete pre-packed mixing systems" are described in EP 0692229, DE 102009031178, U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,544, U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,149, DE 69812726, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,745. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Complete pre-packed mixing systems are described in the specifications of German Patent Nos. 102016121606 (B4) and 102016121607 (B4). In this mixing system, the cartridge is held vertically, with the cartridge head vertical at the top, and the monomer liquid is pushed from below by an extrusion device into the compacted cement powder, the cement powder is wetted by the monomer liquid, and air positioned between the cement powder particles is pushed upward by the monomer liquid. A bubble-free cement dough is produced without the action of a mechanical mixing device. As presented in more detail below, such a complete pre-packed mixing system can be particularly advantageously used with the device described herein.

[0007] Preferred Embodiments In currently known vacuum and pre-packed mixing systems, PMMA cement dough is often applied by connecting a cartridge filled with the PMMA cement dough to a manually operable extrusion device, which then manually extrudes the cement dough from the cartridge. This can be done, for example, during the implantation process of a knee prosthesis. As the cement is extruded, the medical user can move the dispensing tube over the surfaces of the knee prosthesis to be cemented, and, if necessary, over the tibial and femoral bone implant beds. This allows for uniform distribution of the cement dough, and the tibial and femoral components of the knee prosthesis can then be pressed against the previously prepared tibia and femur, allowing for uniform cement distribution and a homogeneous bond between the bone tissue and the joint components. Excess cement dough can be manually removed. When cementing a hip prosthesis, the acetabular cup can also be cemented. Conversely, when cementing the shaft of a hip prosthesis, a previously prepared channel in the proximal femur is filled with cement dough. The cement dough is then pressed into the cancellous bone by a pressurizer. The shaft of the artificial hip joint is then inserted into the channel of the femur filled with the bone cement dough, thereby displacing the excess bone cement dough. Surgical robots are increasingly being used in surgery and orthopedics. Surgical robots play a role, particularly in the implantation of cementless knee prostheses. It would be desirable if cemented prostheses, such as artificial knees and hips, could also be implanted with the aid of surgical robots.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a device for mechanical application of bone cement, such as PMMA bone cement, that is connectable to or connected to a surgical robot. The device can enable the mechanical application of a quantity of bone cement from a cartridge within a predefined time period, which is predetermined by the surgeon. During the cementing process, the device can preferably be moved by a robotic arm. The device is preferably capable of precisely metering the amount of cement to be extruded. This measurement process can preferably be time-controllable, so that the surgical robot can precisely position the bone cement dough relative to the implant and bone tissue by defining movements in the x-, y-, and z-axes. For this purpose, the device can be designed to be connected to a cartridge that already contains premixed PMMA cement dough. This means that a medical user mixes the cement components in the cartridge to form a PMMA bone cement dough and then connects the cartridge to the device, which can be already positioned on or connected to a robotic arm. In some embodiments, the device can be connected to a cartridge that contains unmixed cement components, such as a monomer liquid and cement powder. In this case, the device described herein allows the cement components to be mixed by the movement of a dispensing plunger into the cartridge head, according to the specifications of German Patent Nos. 102016121606 (B4) and 102016121607 (B4), and after the formation of a bone cement dough, the cement components can then be extruded from the cartridge. In one variant, the device described herein can be designed so that the use of an electric motor and a complex gearbox for extruding the bone cement dough is not necessary. For example, a pneumatic or hydraulic drive can be provided for this purpose. The pneumatic or hydraulic source can preferably be located outside the device described herein and the connected robot.This can limit the weight load on the robotic arm and allow for the creation of cost-effective devices. In some embodiments, the devices described herein can be configured to perform the bone cement extrusion process using an electric motor and gearbox. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a well-controllable energy source already available in the operating room for drive purposes can be used to drive the devices described herein.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems and further problems of the prior art, for example, the present invention allows bone cement to be dispensed by a machine, in particular by a surgical robot. These objects are achieved by the methods and devices described herein, and in particular by the methods and devices claimed in the appended claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0010] A first embodiment describes a device for mechanically dispensing bone cement, comprising a connection portion configured to connect to a surgical robot, an extrusion portion configured to dispense bone cement, a receiving portion configured to receive a container containing bone cement, and an interface configured to connect to a control portion for dispensing a predefined amount of bone cement from the container by the extrusion portion.

[0011] The second embodiment describes a device as described in the first embodiment, wherein the interface is configured to communicate the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion and to stop further dispensing of bone cement when a predefined amount is reached.

[0012] A third embodiment describes a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a sensor operatively connected to the interface for determining the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion.

[0013] A fourth embodiment describes the device according to the third embodiment, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a magnetic sensor.

[0014] A fifth embodiment describes a device according to the third or fourth embodiment, in which the sensor is configured to detect the spatial position of the marking and thereby determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion, and the marking is preferably a colored component of the extrusion portion, and particularly preferably a sealing ring of the plunger.

[0015] A sixth embodiment describes a device according to any one of the third to fifth embodiments, wherein the sensor and / or interface is configured to determine the internal volume of the extrusion part and / or the container.

[0016] A seventh embodiment describes a device according to any one of the third to sixth embodiments, in which the sensor is disposed on a sensor strip that extends along the receptacle on the outside of the device.

[0017] An eighth embodiment describes a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the connection comprises an electrical connection point configured to provide power to the device and / or receive control signals.

[0018] A ninth embodiment describes a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the connection comprises a communication point for communication with a pressurized medium, the pressurized medium being preferably compressed air, a vacuum source, or a hydraulic medium.

[0019] A tenth embodiment describes a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the extruder comprises a driver configured to dispense bone cement through the extruder.

[0020] An eleventh embodiment describes a device according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the drive unit is a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive unit.

[0021] A twelfth embodiment describes a device according to the tenth or eleventh embodiment, wherein the interface is configured to control a drive unit.

[0022] A thirteenth embodiment describes a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is also configured to mechanically mix the bone cement within the container.

[0023] A further aspect relates to a computer program for controlling a device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, the computer program being configured to operate the extrusion unit and / or the sensor.

[0024] A further aspect relates to a kit comprising a device according to any one of the first to thirteenth embodiments and a container for containing bone cement, the container preferably being configured for mixing the bone cement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] With respect to embodiments described herein in which an element "have" or "comprises" essentially a particular characteristic (e.g., material), further embodiments are always contemplated in which the associated element consists solely of that characteristic, i.e., without any other components. As used herein, the words "comprise" or "comprising" are used synonymously with the words "have" or "having." In one embodiment, where an element is referred to by the singular, embodiments in which there are two or more such elements are also contemplated. In principle, the use of a term for a plural element also encompasses embodiments in which only a single corresponding element is included. Unless otherwise indicated or clearly excluded from the context, the features of different embodiments described herein can in principle also be present in other embodiments described herein and are expressly contemplated herein. Likewise, in principle, it is contemplated that all features described herein in relation to methods can also be applied to the products and devices described herein, and vice versa. Solely for the purpose of maintaining conciseness, all such possible combinations are not explicitly listed in all cases. In principle, technical solutions known to be equivalent to the features described herein are also intended to be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

[0026] A first aspect of the present invention relates in a first embodiment to a device for mechanically dispensing bone cement, the device comprising: a connection portion configured to connect to a surgical robot; an extrusion portion configured to dispense bone cement; a receiving portion configured to receive a container containing bone cement; and an interface configured to connect to a control portion for dispensing a predefined amount of bone cement from the container by the extrusion portion.

[0027] The devices described herein are provided for mechanically dispensing bone cement. Accordingly, these devices are preferably configured to dispense bone cement via an electronically controlled drive. These devices can advantageously be used with surgical robots. An example of a surgical robot is described in EP 3743004 A1. Such a robot preferably comprises a drive and a control unit for enabling the robot's operation. The devices described herein comprise an interface configured to be connected to such a control unit of the robot. This allows the device according to the present invention to operatively interact with the robot's control unit. For example, the robot's control unit can control the dispensing of bone cement from the device according to the present invention via the interface. For this purpose, the interface can be operatively connected to an extrusion unit of the device. In some embodiments, the interface is configured to transfer control signals from the robot's control unit to the extrusion unit. In some embodiments, the interface can be configured to process such control signals from the control unit and deliver the processed control signals to the extrusion unit. In some embodiments, the device can be attached to a robotic arm of a surgical robot, allowing the robotic arm to interact with the device to control the spatial location of bone cement dispensed from the device, thereby preferably providing three-dimensional controllable dispensing of bone cement.

[0028] The starting components of the bone cement described herein, e.g., powder and liquid components, the bone cement dough produced therefrom, and the bone cement produced as a result of the hardening of the bone cement dough, are referred to herein individually and collectively as "bone cement." A preferred example of a bone cement is PMMA bone cement. The device can be configured to accept a container containing a thoroughly mixed bone cement or a container containing multiple separate components of the bone cement. The device can be configured to mix these components. This mixing process can preferably be controllable by a surgical robot.

[0029] The device according to the invention comprises a receiving part configured to receive a container containing bone cement. In some embodiments, the receiving part is configured to receive a commercially available dispensing device or a device for mixing bone cement. In some embodiments, the receiving part is configured to receive a container containing the necessary components for producing bone cement in separate compartments. In one embodiment, the receiving part is configured to receive a container that can mix and then dispense bone cement. In some embodiments, the device is configured to robotically mix the bone cement in the container to be received and then dispense the bone cement by means of an extrusion part. Particularly preferred containers that can be used with the device according to the invention are described in German Patent Nos. 102016121606 (B4) and 102016121607 (B4), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. German Patent No. 102016121606 (B4) describes a bone cement applicator for mixing and applying bone cement, which can mix initial components of bone cement in a closed cartridge to form a bone cement dough, the cartridge comprising a multi-part closing system having a dispensing opening, at least two parts of the closing system being movable relative to each other driven by the movement of the mixed bone cement dough, such that the movement of the at least two parts of the closing system relative to each other results in the opening of the dispensing opening and the pressure exerted on the bone cement dough driving the movement of the mixed bone cement dough. To receive a container containing bone cement, the extrusion can be provided with a suitable connection element configured for example to form-fit the container. For example, such a connection element can be a bayonet closure or a snap closure. The connection element can comprise hooks, tabs, or threads that allow for a form-fit connection to the container.

[0030] The device includes an extruder configured to dispense bone cement. The extruder can include, for example, a plunger configured to apply pressure to a received container containing the bone cement. The extruder can include a movable plate configured to apply pressure to the received container containing the bone cement. The plunger or plate can be positioned to move axially into the received container containing the bone cement.

[0031] The device may comprise a housing, which may have, for example, a substantially cylindrical basic shape. The extrusion may be arranged in the housing. An abutment for the extrusion may be arranged and fastened on the housing. The abutment may be fastened to the housing by, for example, a screw or a rivet.

[0032] In one embodiment, the device is configured to determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder. This can be done, for example, by determining the position of an element of the extruder, such as a plunger or plate that applies pressure to a container containing the bone cement to dispense the bone cement from the container. For this purpose, the element of the extruder can be provided with markings whose position can be determined by a sensor.

[0033] In one embodiment, the interface is configured to communicate to the robot the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder and to stop further dispensing of bone cement once a predefined amount is reached.

[0034] In one embodiment, the device comprises a sensor, preferably operatively connected to the interface, for determining the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder and / or communicating that amount to the robot.

[0035] The sensor can be an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a magnetic sensor. The optical sensor can be, for example, a camera or a photodiode. The device can also include a light source, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser. The sensor can be, for example, a time-of-flight sensor, a phase modulation sensor, a triangulation sensor, or an interferometric sensor. The magnetic sensor can be configured to determine the relative position of the movable part of the extrusion, for example, according to the functional principle of magnetostriction. Such a sensor can, for example, contain a measurement base stationarily arranged in the device, a waveguide, a movable magnet, and a signal converter. Mechanical vibrations can be generated in the waveguide by magnetic force. The propagation time of these vibrations can be determined to measure the distance between two defined points. The signal converter can be configured to convert the mechanical vibrations of the sensor into a measurement signal.

[0036] The sensor may be configured to detect the distance traveled by the extruder element, which may be achieved, for example, by the sensor operatively interacting with a drive for the extruder.

[0037] In one embodiment, the sensor is configured to detect the spatial position of the marking and thereby determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder. The marking may preferably be a colored component of the extruder, such as a sealing ring on the plunger or plate. The marking may be a different color from the elements of the device surrounding the marking.

[0038] In one embodiment, the sensor is configured to determine an internal volume of the extrusion. In one embodiment, the sensor is configured to determine an internal volume of a container containing bone cement. In one embodiment, the interface is configured to determine an internal volume of the extrusion. In one embodiment, the interface is configured to determine an internal volume of a container containing bone cement. In this way, the amount of bone cement dispensed by the device can be determined.

[0039] The sensor can be located on a sensor strip, which can be conveniently attached to the device to determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder. In one embodiment, the sensor strip extends along the outside of the device, along the receiving portion or along the extruder. The sensor strip can extend axially or longitudinally along the device. If desired, multiple sensors can be provided, which can be, for example, circumferentially arranged along the outside of the device housing.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the connection comprises an electrical connection point. The electrical connection point may be configured to provide power to the device. In particular, the electrical connection point may be configured to provide power to the extrusion and / or the sensor. Alternatively, or in addition, the electrical connection point may be configured to receive control signals. Such control signals may be used for external control of different parts of the device, for example, by a surgical robot or another external control device. For example, the sensor and / or the extrusion may be externally controlled and / or monitored in this manner.

[0041] In one embodiment, the connection has a communication point for communication with a pressurized medium. The pressurized medium can be, for example, compressed air, a vacuum source, or a hydraulic medium. The pressurized medium has a pressure significantly higher or lower than the normal ambient pressure of about 1000 hPa. The pressurized medium can be used to drive the extruder. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the extruder is configured to be driven by the pressurized medium.

[0042] In one embodiment, the extruder comprises a driver configured to dispense bone cement by the extruder, for which purpose the driver can be operatively connected to the extruder so that the extruder can cause the dispensing of bone cement by acting on a container containing the bone cement.

[0043] In one embodiment, the drive unit is a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric drive unit. The hydraulic or pneumatic drive unit can be fluidly connected to the aforementioned connection points for communicating with the pressurized medium. The device can accordingly comprise an inlet and an outlet for the pressurized medium. The inlet and / or outlet can comprise a mechanical or electrical controller. The inlet and / or outlet can each comprise a valve. In particular, if the device comprises a pneumatic drive unit, the outlet can also comprise a filter for purifying the discharged fluid medium, e.g., compressed air. Filters that can prevent contamination of the ambient air by bacteria are particularly advantageous. Such filters are also referred to in the art as sterilizing filters. Such filters can have a pore size of, for example, 50 nm to 500 nm, which is related to the nominal volume of retained particles.

[0044] In one embodiment, the interface is configured to control a drive unit, for example, the interface can transfer external control signals to the device to control an electric motor or control valve of a hydraulic or pneumatic drive unit such that the device dispenses a predefined amount of bone cement.

[0045] The device includes a receiving portion configured to receive a container containing bone cement. The container can contain a fully mixed bone cement or can contain individual components of the bone cement separately. In one embodiment, the device is configured to mechanically mix the bone cement in the container. In this case, the bone cement does not need to be mixed by operating room staff, and the device undergoes the mixing process, possibly under the control of a surgical robot that controls the device accordingly. Thus, according to such an embodiment, both mixing and dispensing of the bone cement can be performed by the surgical robot with the aid of the device. In one embodiment, the device is configured by the surgical robot to dispense the bone cement in a targeted manner within one or more predefined spatial locations. This can eliminate the need for a surgeon to manually guide the bone cement dispensing device to perform the procedure, since this task is performed by the surgical robot with the aid of the device described herein.

[0046] A further aspect relates to a computer program for controlling the device described herein. The computer program may be particularly configured to operate the extrusion unit. Alternatively or additionally, the computer program may be configured to operate the sensor. The computer program may be stored on a data carrier. Accordingly, an embodiment also comprises a data carrier having such a computer program stored thereon. The computer program may, for example, 1) activating an extrusion unit, the activation of the extrusion unit resulting in dispensing of bone cement by the device; 2) calculating the amount of bone cement dispensed by the device, preferably based on measurements from a sensor in the device; 3) comparing the amount to a predefined value; 4) stopping the extrusion unit when the amount is reached or when the amount exceeds a predefined value.

[0047] A further aspect relates to a kit comprising a device as described herein and a container containing bone cement, the container preferably configured for mixing and / or dispensing the bone cement. The container can be a fully pre-packed mixed system, which is a cementing system in which both the cement powder and the monomer liquid are packaged in separate compartments of a cartridge system and only mixed together in the cartridge system to form the bone cement immediately prior to cement application. Examples of complete pre-packed mixing systems are described in German Patent Nos. 102016121606(B4) and 102016121607(B4). In such mixing systems, the cartridge can be held vertically, with the cartridge head vertical at the top, and the extrusion device can push the monomer liquid from below into the compacted cement powder, which can be wetted by the monomer liquid, and the air positioned between the cement powder particles can be pushed upward by the monomer liquid. The container preferably contains a connecting element, e.g., a form-fit connecting element, configured to connect to a device described herein. The container can also include a mixing rod. The kit can also include a nozzle for releasing the bone cement from the container. The bone cement can contain an antibiotic.

[0048] A further aspect of the present invention is a surgical robot configured to dispense bone cement via a device described herein, a computer program described herein, and / or a kit described herein. The surgical robot can incorporate a device described herein as an integral part thereof, or can simply be configured to connect to such a device. For example, the surgical robot can include connection points for the device's connection elements. The robot can be configured to monitor the device's sensors and / or control the device's extrusion device. The robot can be configured to operatively connect to the device's electrical connection points described herein. The robot can also include communication points for supplying the device with a pressurized medium that can be used to drive the extrusion device. The surgical robot can be designed and configured to mix and / or dispense bone cement via a device described herein.

[0049] The surgical robot may also contain a computer program for controlling the devices described herein, in which regard reference is made to the foregoing description.

[0050] A further aspect of the present invention is a therapeutic treatment method comprising dispensing bone cement by a device described herein, a computer program described herein, a surgical robot described herein, and / or a kit described herein. [Example]

[0051] The present invention will be further explained below using examples, which should not be understood as limiting, as it will be clear to those skilled in the art that instead of the features described herein, other equivalent means can also be used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0052] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates, by way of example, one embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention. The device 100 comprises a connection portion 101 configured to connect to a surgical robot 200. In the illustrated example, the connection portion 101 also comprises an inlet 110 and an outlet 111, each of which is used to connect to an external pressurized medium. For example, a compressed air source can be used to drive the device's extruder 102, which can be connected to the inlet 110. The used compressed air then leaves the device again via the outlet 111, which can be equipped with a filter to purify the air exiting the outlet 111. The connection portion 101 also comprises an interface 105 configured to control the extruder 102. For example, a surgical robot operatively connected to the device 100 via the connection portion 101 can control the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder 102 via the interface 105. The device also comprises a sensor 106 for detecting the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extruder 102. The sensor 106 is connected via an interface 105 to an external controller, which may be part of a surgical robot 200. The extruder 102 is moved by a driver 109 to dispense bone cement from the device 100. The device also contains a receiver 103 configured to receive a container 104 containing bone cement. To this end, the receiver may be equipped with a form-fitting connecting element such as a bayonet closure or a screw thread. [Figure 2] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention connected by a receiver 103 to a container 104 containing bone cement. The bone cement is disposed in an internal volume 108 of the container 104. The pusher 102 comprises a plate 112 that is movably disposed within the container 104 and configured to expel the bone cement from the internal volume 108. The position of the plate 112 is monitored by a sensor 106, which allows the amount of bone cement expelled to be determined. [Figure 3]3 shows a further embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention. A commercially available cartridge 104 containing bone cement is attached to a receiving part 103 of the device. The device comprises a sensor 106, which in this example is designed as a sensor strip with a number of individual sensor elements arranged in a row. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the device 100 according to the invention shown in Figure 3 connected to a robot 200 by a connection 101. The sensor is operatively connected to the robot by the connection 101 so that the robot 200 can read the sensor 106. [Figure 5] 5 shows a further embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention, in this example with an electric motor as a drive. The device 100 is connected to a cartridge 104 containing bone cement, which in this example also comprises a removable mixing rod that allows manual mixing of the multi-component bone cement. The bone cement is disposed in an internal volume 108. The device comprises an extrusion part 102 with a plate 112 for expelling the bone cement. [Figure 6] 6 shows a further embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention, which comprises as a drive a compressed air communication point, in this example comprising an inlet 110 and an outlet 111. The drive enables the extrusion part 102 to dispense bone cement outwards from the internal volume 108 of the container 104, for which purpose the container also comprises a nozzle for releasing the bone cement. [Figure 7] 7 shows a further embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention configured for mechanically mixing liquid and solid components of a multi-component bone cement. Here, device 100 is connected to a container 104 comprising a chamber 113 for holding the liquid component and a chamber 115 for holding the powder component. In this example, the liquid component is disposed within a plurality of film bags 114 within chamber 113. Such a container is also referred to herein as a "complete pre-packed mixing system." [Figure 8]8 shows a process of mixing two bone cement components in the device 100 according to FIG. 7. The extrusion unit has multiple pins to pierce the film bag 114 containing the liquid component. By applying pressure to the chamber 113, the film bag is first pierced and the emerging liquid is forced out of the chamber 113 into the chamber 115 for the powder component, thus allowing the two components of the bone cement to mix and bond together. The mixing process described here can be controlled by a surgical robot. In the embodiment shown here, the drive unit comprises an electric motor. [Figure 9] 9 shows a further embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention, configured to mechanically mix liquid and solid components of a multi-component bone cement. In this example, the device includes a communication point for a pressurized medium, such as compressed air. The bone cement mechanically mixed by the device can be expelled from the internal volume 108 by a nozzle. The amount of expelled bone cement is monitored by a sensor strip. A robot 200 operatively connected to the device 100 controls the extrusion unit 102 to dispense a predefined amount of bone cement based on a signal from the sensor 106. [Figure 10] 10 shows parts of a kit comprising a device 100 according to the invention having a connection part 101, a receiving part 103 and a sensor. The kit also contains a container 104 for containing bone cement, which can be connected to the device 100 by means of the receiving part 103. The kit also optionally contains a nozzle 116 for releasing the bone cement, which can be attached to the container 104. [Figure 11] 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention, in which the extrusion 102 is provided with a marking 107, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a sealing ring of a contrasting color, the position of which can be determined by a rod-shaped optical sensor strip 106 arranged on the outside of the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 devices 101 Connection 102 Extrusion section 103 Receiving Department 104 Container 105 Interface 106 Sensors 107 Marking 108 Internal Volume 109 Drive Unit 110 Entrance 111 Exit 112 board 113 Chamber for liquid components 114 Bags 115 Chamber for powder components 116 nozzles 117 Handle 200 Surgical Robot

Claims

1. 1. A device (100) for mechanically dispensing bone cement, comprising: a connection portion (101) configured to connect to a surgical robot; an extrusion portion (102) configured to dispense bone cement; a receiving portion (103) configured to receive a container (104) containing bone cement; an interface (105) configured to connect to a control portion for dispensing a predefined amount of bone cement from the container (104) by the extrusion portion (102); and a sensor (106) operatively connected to the interface (105) for determining the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion (102); The device, wherein the sensor (106) and / or the interface (105) are configured to determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion (102) based on the spatial position of markings on the extrusion portion (102) and / or the internal volume (108) of the container (104).

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface (105) is configured to communicate the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion (102) and to stop further dispensing of the bone cement when the predefined amount is reached.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor (106) is an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a magnetic sensor.

4. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor (106) is configured to detect the spatial position of a marking (107) and thereby determine the amount of bone cement dispensed by the extrusion portion (102), and the marking is a colored component of the extrusion portion (102).

5. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensors (106) are disposed on a sensor strip (109) that extends along the receptacle (103) on the outside of the device.

6. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection (101) comprises an electrical connection point configured to provide power to the device and / or receive control signals.

7. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connection (101) comprises a communication point for communication with a pressurized medium, the pressurized medium being compressed air, a vacuum source or a hydraulic medium.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the extruder (102) comprises a driver (109) configured to dispense bone cement through the extruder.

9. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the drive (109) is a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive.

10. 10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interface (105) is configured to control the drive (109).

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is also configured to mechanically mix bone cement within the container (104).

12. A computer program for controlling the device of claim 1, the computer program being configured to operate the extrusion unit (102) and / or the sensor (106).

13. A kit comprising the device of claim 1 and a container (104) containing bone cement, the container configured for mixing the bone cement.

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