Bone Cement Component Heating for Faster Surgical Hardening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone cements, particularly polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cements, have a long hardening time under surgical conditions, leading to increased operating costs and inefficiencies due to the need for extended waiting times.

Innovation Solution

Heating at least one component of the bone cement, preferably the liquid monomer, to a temperature of at least 40°C before mixing, which accelerates the polymerization process and reduces hardening time without altering the cement's chemical composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bone cement is used under surgical conditions, then the cement provides reliable fixation, but the hardening time is excessively long (10-15 minutes)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidhardening time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The components are preheated to temperatures between 37°C and 70°C before mixing and application. This preliminary thermal preparation accelerates the polymerization reaction from the outset, reducing hardening time by 2-3 minutes without compromising fixation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the bone cement components is changed from room temperature (20-25°C) to elevated temperatures (37-70°C). This parameter modification directly accelerates the polymerization kinetics, achieving faster hardening while maintaining the reliability of bone cement fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the hardening time is reduced through temperature acceleration, then surgical time is saved, but the temperature control during mixing becomes more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidmixing process control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature control is performed in advance during component preparation rather than during mixing. The components are preheated to the desired temperature range (37-70°C) before being combined, which simplifies the mixing process and reduces the risk of temperature-related complications during surgery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The components are heated to temperatures potentially exceeding the minimum required (up to 70°C), providing a thermal buffer that ensures adequate reaction temperature even with heat loss during mixing and application, thereby maintaining surgical efficiency without requiring precise temperature control during the mixing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The method significantly reduces the hardening time of bone cement by 2-3 minutes under both laboratory and surgical conditions, thereby saving valuable surgical time and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source (20) for heating the component (2) located in the heating chamber (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

Heating either one or both components, or heating the bone cement itself, results in the cement having a higher temperature during or after application, and consequently hardening more quickly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4696406A1Device for heating a component for producing bone cement and method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH
  • EP4696406A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696406A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4696406A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing bone cement and a device for heating a component for producing bone cement. In a method for producing bone cement, two components (1, 2) are brought into contact and mixed to produce bone cement. At least one component (2) of the two components (1, 2) or the produced bone cement is heated. A device (10) for heating a component (2) for producing bone cement comprises a heating chamber (12) for receiving the component (2) and a heat source (20) for heating the component (2) located in the heating chamber (12). This enables accelerated hardening and thus saves time when using bone cement.