Inflatable Balloon Seal for Bone Defect Filler Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for addressing bone defects during surgery fail to contain cement-like substances within the defect, leading to leakage and visualization issues for surgeons, and struggle with delivering the substance effectively into uneven bone structures.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable balloon apparatus is used to create a sealed environment around the bone defect, preventing leakage and allowing for precise delivery and pressurization of filler materials, maintaining visualization and ensuring thorough penetration into the bone structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cement like substance is delivered into bone defect using current methods, then the defect can be filled, but the substance leaks and escapes to other parts of the body causing medical problems
Solution Approach 1:
A balloon is introduced as an intermediary device between the filler material delivery system and the bone defect. The balloon is positioned within the defect and inflated to create a contained environment, allowing the filler material to be delivered precisely without leaking into surrounding tissues. The balloon acts as a temporary barrier that enables controlled delivery while preventing harmful escape of material.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon utilizes a flexible thin-walled structure that can be inflated to various sizes to match the contours of the bone defect. This flexible shell creates a sealed environment that contains the filler material during delivery and allows for adaptation to irregular defect geometries, preventing leakage while maintaining precise delivery capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure is applied to deliver filler material into uneven bone structure, then penetration into interstices is achieved, but the substance escapes from the defect to other regions
Solution Approach 1:
The inflated balloon serves as a containment intermediary that allows pressure to be applied to the filler material for thorough penetration into bone interstices without causing escape. The balloon's sealed environment captures any material that might otherwise escape during pressurized delivery, enabling effective penetration while preventing loss of substance to surrounding areas.
3Strength
If cement like substance is allowed to harden over time, then structural support is provided, but crystalline deposits form inside joints causing cartilage degeneration and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon acts as a containment intermediary during the hardening process, ensuring that the filler material solidifies only within the intended bone defect boundaries. By preventing escape and dispersion of material during setting, the balloon eliminates the formation of harmful crystalline deposits in surrounding joint areas while still providing the necessary structural support from the hardened material.
4Quantity of substance
If excess filler material protrudes or deposits outside the defect, then the defect may be overfilled, but the surgeon's line of sight is blocked during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon provides a visual boundary and containment structure that allows the surgeon to monitor filler material delivery without material escape blocking the view. The balloon's presence creates a defined workspace where excess material is contained rather than protruding into the surgeon's line of sight, maintaining visualization while allowing adequate filling of the defect.
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 apparatus effectively contains filler materials within the bone defect, preventing leakage and ensuring proper delivery and penetration, thereby enhancing surgical outcomes by maintaining visualization and allowing for immediate implantation without additional surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The balloon is capable of being inflated (or deflated), adjusted to a desired size. The balloon allows a seal to be created around the surgical area
Data Source
AI summary
A void containment apparatus and its method of use during an invasive procedure on the body are disclosed. The void containment apparatus includes an elongated housing and a balloon. The balloon is capable of being inflated and deflated. When inflated, the balloon provides a seal around a void and allows delivery or extraction of material into or out of the void with minimal leakage outside the void.