Biologic Injection System with Planetary Gear and Pressure Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering bone graft materials to surgical sites lack precision and control, particularly in terms of particle size and pressure management, which can affect the efficacy of bone augmentation and prosthetic anchoring in orthopedic procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical compound delivery device featuring a planetary gear assembly and pressure limiting mechanism that allows for controlled, incremental dispensing of bone graft materials through a flexible conduit, preventing excessive pressure and ensuring accurate delivery to the surgical site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If bone graft material is delivered using conventional methods, then the delivery process is simple, but the precision and control of particle size and pressure are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size controlVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system segments the bone graft material into controlled particle sizes through a dispensing element with specific opening configurations. The system divides the delivery process into controlled increments, allowing precise control over the particle size and amount delivered to the surgical site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the bone graft material delivery by controlling pressure levels and particle size distribution. The pressure limiting mechanism adjusts pressure parameters to prevent excessive force while maintaining controlled delivery, and the dispensing element controls particle size parameters for precise surgical application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If bone graft material is delivered with high pressure, then the delivery speed increases, but the pressure control and potential tissue damage risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidpressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure limiting mechanism provides feedback control by monitoring and responding to pressure changes in the delivery system. When pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the mechanism automatically limits further pressure increase, ensuring safe delivery speeds while maintaining productivity through controlled pressure management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure limiting mechanism acts as a preemptive cushioning device that prevents excessive pressure buildup before it can cause tissue damage. By establishing a maximum pressure threshold in advance, the system cushions against the harmful effects of high pressure while still allowing efficient delivery below that threshold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If bone graft material is delivered in large quantities, then the augmentation effect is improved, but the control over delivery timing and location worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone graft quantityVSAvoiddelivery timing and location control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing element segments the bone graft material into controlled portions that can be delivered in precise timing intervals. The system divides the total quantity into manageable increments, allowing the surgeon to control exactly when and where each portion is delivered, maintaining both quantity and precision control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system employs periodic action through controlled incremental dispensing at predetermined time intervals. This allows precise control over delivery timing while maintaining the ability to deliver the required total quantity through multiple controlled cycles, ensuring both quantity and timing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 precise and timely delivery of bone graft materials, enhancing bone augmentation and prosthetic anchoring by maintaining controlled pressure and particle size distribution, thereby improving surgical outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a planetary gear assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to the actuation element, where the planetary gear assembly is configured to move the dispensing element a pre-set distance per each discrete activation of the actuation element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlanetary gear mechanism: Epicyclic Gearing

Implementation Method 2

a slipper gear assembly coupled to the actuation element... configured to limit movement of the dispensing element when a pressure in the delivery conduit exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction-based pressure limiting: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9370389B2Biologic injection system

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 JONES DAVID BRADLEY

AI summary

A medical compound delivery device, including an elongated compound delivery conduit; a housing attached to the delivery conduit; a dispensing element movably positioned within the housing; an actuation element coupled to the housing, the actuation element operable to selectively move the dispensing element from the housing into the delivery conduit in discrete length increments; and a pressure limiting element configured to limit movement of the dispensing element when a pressure in the delivery conduit exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure.