Bone Cement Paste Mixing Cartridge With Stable Ampoule Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preparing bone cement paste face challenges such as complex structures, instability in ampoule opening, and potential for air inclusions, leading to cumbersome handling and reduced structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a mixing unit with a hollow-cylindrical cartridge and a reservoir for monomer liquid, where the ampoule is opened by tilting about a pivot point, connected via a conduit to the mixing unit, with form closures for stable ampoule opening and controlled monomer liquid conveyance, ensuring compact design and minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container is opened by tilting the ampoule, then the opening process is simplified and can be performed with minimal effort, but the connection between container and cartridge becomes unstable and may lead to buckling of the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The ampoule is pre-positioned within the container such that tilting the container automatically positions the ampoule for opening. The deformable region is pre-configured to guide the tilting motion and enable automatic opening without requiring manual manipulation of the ampoule itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The container includes a deformable region that can flex and deform during the tilting process. This deformable region absorbs the mechanical stress of tilting and prevents transmission of destabilizing forces to the connection between container and cartridge, while still enabling the ampoule to tilt and open.
2Device complexity
If the cartridge head is used for both introducing monomer liquid and mixing bone cement paste, then the structure is integrated, but the structural integrity is weakened due to threading connections
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge head integrates multiple functions: it serves as the sealing element for the cartridge interior, the introduction point for monomer liquid via the conduit, and the mixing chamber for bone cement paste. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and connections required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge head is designed as a multi-functional component that handles both liquid introduction and paste mixing operations. The single-piece construction provides structural integrity while the integrated design allows it to serve multiple purposes in the bone cement preparation process.
3Ease of manufacture
If a thread connection is used to attach cartridge head to cartridge, then assembly is simplified, but the structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge and cartridge head are formed as a single piece through integral construction, eliminating the need for separate fastening mechanisms such as threads. This merging of components into one monolithic structure provides both manufacturing simplicity and superior structural integrity.
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
Facilitates simple, rapid, and application-safe preparation of bone cement paste with minimal effort, reducing air inclusions and maintaining structural integrity while allowing easy handling and efficient mixing.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir container comprises a deformable region at least in portions so that tilting of the ampoule about a pivot point against the connection is enabled
Data Source
AI summary
A device for preparing a bone cement paste from two starting components, comprising a mixing unit comprising a hollow-cylindrical cartridge with an interior space in which a bone cement powder is stored as the first starting component, a dispensing plunger which is displaceable axially in the interior space and seals the interior space at a proximal cartridge end in terms of fluid conduction, and a mixing rod which is guided into the interior space via a mixing rod duct of the dispensing plunger and is mounted movably in the interior space, and a reservoir for a monomer liquid as the second starting component comprising a conduit that connects the interior space of the mixing unit to the reservoir in terms of fluid conduction, wherein the reservoir comprises a reservoir container with at least one ampoule.