Bone Cement Viscosity Control via Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement injection systems for treating vertebral compression fractures lack control over cement delivery and often result in leakage, complications such as pulmonary embolism, and incomplete vertebral height restoration due to high pressure and viscosity issues during vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a computer-controlled bone cement injector capable of maintaining a constant viscosity over an extended injection interval by selectively accelerating the polymerization of bone cement before delivery, using an energy source to control the polymerization rate and reduce leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high pressure is used to inject bone cement into the vertebra, then the cement can be forced into the cancellous bone, but cement leakage occurs and complications such as pulmonary embolism arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the polymerization rate of bone cement through energy delivery (e.g., radiofrequency heating) to adjust viscosity dynamically. By accelerating polymerization before and during injection, the cement transitions from low viscosity to higher viscosity, enabling injection at reduced pressures while preventing leakage. This resolves the contradiction by changing the physical state parameters of the cement rather than relying solely on high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-accelerating polymerization of the bone cement before injection through energy delivery. This preliminary polymerization increases viscosity in advance, allowing the cement to be injected at lower pressures while maintaining adequate flow characteristics during injection. The preliminary action prevents the need for high pressure that would cause leakage.
2Ease of operation
If the polymerization rate of bone cement is not controlled, then the cement can be injected easily, but viscosity changes during injection causing incomplete vertebral height restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the polymerization rate of bone cement through electrical impedance measurements and adjusting energy delivery accordingly. The system continuously monitors viscosity changes and modulates the polymerization rate to maintain optimal injection characteristics throughout the procedure. This feedback mechanism ensures stable viscosity while enabling complete vertebral height restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the polymerization rate adjustable and controllable during the injection process. Rather than using static cement properties, the system dynamically adjusts viscosity through controlled energy delivery, allowing the cement to maintain optimal flow characteristics during injection and then set properly after injection. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between ease of injection and viscosity stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the polymerization of bone cement is accelerated before delivery, then leakage is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to energy delivery requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the injector system to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the injection device and the energy delivery system for controlling polymerization. The same catheter or needle that delivers cement also delivers energy (e.g., radiofrequency) to control polymerization. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while achieving leakage prevention through controlled acceleration of polymerization.
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
This approach minimizes cement leakage, enhances control over cement distribution, and improves vertebral height restoration by maintaining a stable viscosity, thereby reducing complications and improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
controllably applying energy from an energy source to the bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone cement volume prior to introduction of the bone cement into the bone
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.