Balloon Catheter Bone Cement Delivery with UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone cement injection devices are invasive, difficult to control in real-time, and face challenges with cancellous bone volume and density, leading to complications such as leakage and thermal issues during exothermic reactions.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter system that inflates within the bone to deliver and harden a reinforcing mixture, allowing for minimally invasive bone reinforcement with precise control over injection volume and rate, using UV-curable materials that harden upon activation by a light source, reducing thermal effects and minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high pressure delivery source is used to inject bone cement, then the bone cement can be delivered into the bone, but it causes tissue damage and leakage complications
Solution Approach 1:
A balloon catheter is introduced as an intermediary device between the injection source and the bone. The balloon is inflated with bone cement under controlled conditions, then the catheter is withdrawn, leaving the balloon in place to slowly deliver the cement over time, preventing high-pressure injection injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure mechanical injection system is replaced with a time-controlled delivery system. Instead of forcing cement into the bone under high pressure, the cement is delivered gradually as the balloon slowly deflates or leaks controlled amounts over an extended period
2Strength
If exothermic bone cement mixture is used to strengthen bone, then bone reinforcement is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The exothermic chemical reaction is extracted or separated from the immediate bone environment. The bone cement is delivered and allowed to cure in a controlled manner within the balloon, removing the harmful thermal effect from the surrounding tissue while maintaining the bone-strengthening benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon acts as a thermal barrier and intermediary, containing the exothermic reaction away from the bone and surrounding tissues. This isolates the thermal damage potential while allowing the cement to perform its structural reinforcement function
3Quantity of substance
If traditional injection devices are used to deliver bone cement, then bone reinforcement is possible, but real-time control over injection volume and rate is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The static, high-pressure injection system is replaced with a dynamic, time-dependent delivery system. The balloon's gradual deflation or controlled leakage provides continuous, adjustable cement delivery that can be monitored and controlled throughout the procedure and post-procedure period
Solution Approach 2:
The bone cement is pre-loaded into the balloon catheter before the procedure. This preliminary preparation allows for controlled delivery during the procedure without requiring complex real-time mixing or high-pressure injection systems, simplifying the operation
4Loss of time
If minimally invasive procedures are used for bone reinforcement, then recovery time is reduced, but precise delivery control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon catheter serves as a precise delivery intermediary that can be inserted through minimal incisions. The balloon's ability to be inflated and deflated controllably, and its gradual cement delivery mechanism, provides precise control despite the minimally invasive access method
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical control systems required for precise delivery are replaced with the simpler physics-based controlled delivery of the balloon system. The gradual deflation or controlled leakage provides inherent precision without requiring complex mechanical actuators or control mechanisms
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
Enables efficient, controlled delivery and hardening of reinforcing materials within the bone, reducing complications and promoting effective bone reinforcement with minimal invasive procedures and rapid recovery times.
Implementation Method 1
a balloon engaging the tube wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon
Implementation Method 2
at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An apparatus for delivery of reinforcing materials to a weakened or fractured bone is disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a bone (202) including a tube (100) having a proximal end (102), a distal end (104), and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube (100) has at least one inner lumen (120) capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass therethrough; a balloon (106) engaging the tube (100) wherein the balloon (106) expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon (106); and at least one light guide (112) extending through the tube (100) into the balloon (106) to guide a light into the balloon (106).