Angled Nozzle with Slidable Augment for Bone Cement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement delivery systems lack versatility and precision in delivering bone cement in different shapes and sizes required for various orthopedic applications, such as knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasty, often requiring multiple nozzles and manual manipulation to achieve optimal cement distribution.
Innovation Solution
A bone cement nozzle apparatus with a proximal nozzle portion and a distal nozzle augment that can be slidably attached and detached, allowing for the delivery of bone cement in either flat layers or cylindrical shapes, facilitating efficient and precise application by exposing different distal openings, including an oblong shape for flat strips and a circular shape for filling holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzles are used to deliver bone cement in different shapes, then versatility in delivery shapes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into a proximal portion and a distal augment that can be separated. The distal augment with oblong opening is attached only when flat layer delivery is needed, while the proximal portion with circular opening handles other delivery shapes. This segmentation allows versatility without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle configuration is made dynamic through the slideable attachment mechanism. The distal augment can be attached or detached from the proximal portion depending on the required delivery shape, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on surgical needs rather than being fixed in one form.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual manipulation is used to achieve optimal cement distribution, then precision in cement placement is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is pre-configured with different distal openings (circular in proximal portion, oblong in distal augment) designed for specific delivery purposes. The surgeon selects the appropriate configuration before delivery, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation during the procedure while maintaining precision for each delivery type.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the nozzle have specialized local characteristics: the proximal portion has a circular opening optimized for certain delivery shapes, while the distal augment has an oblong opening optimized for flat layer delivery. Each local configuration provides precision for its intended use without requiring manual manipulation.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle system is used to deliver multiple shapes, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a single complex nozzle with multiple openings, the system segments the nozzle into two specialized components: a proximal portion with circular opening and a distal augment with oblong opening. Each segment is optimized for specific delivery precision, and they can be combined when needed without compromising the precision of either configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for bone cement delivery comprising, a proximal nozzle portion having a proximal end configured to couple to a bone cement source and a first distal delivery end having a circular cross section, a distal nozzle augment having a proximal end configured to slideably couple to the first distal delivery end and a second distal delivery end having an oblong cross section, that can be slanted, and an attachment mechanism configured to slideably retain the distal nozzle augment to the proximal nozzle portion.