Hydrating Anhydrous Graft Materials via Segmented Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for hydrating anhydrous bone graft materials, such as synthetic or cadaver bone grafts, lack efficient and controlled systems for mixing and delivering hydrating fluids like cell concentrates and thrombin, leading to potential voids and gaps in the graft material during hydration and handling in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tubular container system with a fluid port for connecting to medical products, allowing controlled mixing and delivery of hydrating fluids through syringes, and a piston or porous matrix for supporting the graft material to prevent clot breakage, enabling even fluid distribution and ejection of the hydrated graft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If anhydrous graft material is hydrated without a controlled container system, then the hydration process is simple, but voids and gaps form in the graft material
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper chamber for fluid accumulation, a lower chamber for graft material placement, and a central piston mechanism. This segmentation allows controlled fluid distribution throughout the graft material, eliminating voids and gaps while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A piston serves as an intermediary mechanism between the hydrating fluid source and the graft material. The piston pushes fluid through the graft material in a controlled manner, ensuring complete hydration without requiring complex external systems. The piston acts as the mediating element that transfers fluid uniformly throughout the graft.
2Strength
If hydrating fluid is introduced without a support means, then the container structure is simple, but clots break up during ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed with specific local qualities: it has a porous or perforated surface that allows fluid passage while maintaining structural support. The piston provides localized support to the graft material during hydration and ejection, preventing clot break-up without requiring a complex overall support structure. The support function is concentrated in the piston's interaction zone with the graft.
3Measurement precision
If fluid is supplied through a single opening, then the device structure is simple, but fluid ratio control is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is segmented into multiple independent syringes, each capable of delivering a specific fluid type. This segmentation allows precise control over fluid ratios by independently adjusting each syringe's volume and timing of delivery. The segmented approach enables accurate proportioning of different hydrating fluids without requiring complex mixing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of fluid delivery through syringes that can be independently actuated. The timing, speed, and volume of each fluid injection can be dynamically adjusted to achieve precise ratios. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt fluid delivery parameters in real-time, ensuring accurate mixing ratios while maintaining relatively simple individual syringe components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures complete hydration with minimal voids and gaps, improving handling characteristics and maintaining clot integrity during ejection, allowing for precise control over fluid ratios and volumes, enhancing surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The means for supporting comprises a piston having channels for passing the hydrating fluid. Fluid flows evenly about the piston through the channels designed to allow the passage of fluids.
Implementation Method 2
If the hydrating fluid includes biologic materials that will form a clot, the tube is allowed to stand until the fluids have clotted the graft.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (2) receives anhydrous material to be hydrated and hydrating fluids. The hydrating fluids are introduced into the container through a fluid port (8) by one or more containers having hydrating fluid. The hydrating fluids may be a mixture of fluids provided in any desired proportion. The hydrated material is then ejected from the container.