Computer-Controlled Bone Cement Injector with Viscosity Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement injection systems for vertebroplasty lack control over cement viscosity, leading to extravasation and complications such as leakage, which can result in serious health issues like compression of adjacent structures and pulmonary embolism, due to the high pressure and low viscosity requirements for injecting PMMA into osteoporotic vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a computer-controlled bone cement injector with a negative pressure source and temperature regulation, allowing for the preparation of bone cement with a substantially constant viscosity over an extended period by saturating a non-liquid polymer component with a liquid monomer component, and providing a cement ejection mechanism for precise delivery, thereby controlling the polymerization and viscosity of the cement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high pressure is used to inject PMMA into osteoporotic vertebrae, then the cement can be forced into the cancellous bone, but cement leakage and extravasation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the viscosity parameter of the bone cement during injection by controlling polymerization. The cement starts with low viscosity to facilitate injection into osteoporotic bone, then viscosity increases during polymerization to prevent leakage, resolving the contradiction between injection pressure requirements and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the cement viscosity dynamic rather than static. The cement transitions from a low-viscosity state during injection to a high-viscosity state after polymerization begins, allowing the material to adapt its properties to different stages of the injection process and eliminate the need for high pressure
2Ease of operation
If low viscosity cement is used to facilitate injection into osteoporotic vertebrae, then injection is easier, but cement leakage and extravasation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the viscosity parameter of the cement over time through controlled polymerization. The cement maintains low viscosity during injection for ease of operation, then automatically increases viscosity as polymerization proceeds, preventing extravasation without requiring manual intervention or pressure reduction
3Ease of operation
If manual injection control is used, then physician control is simple, but viscosity control precision is insufficient leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual mechanical control with an automated polymerization-based viscosity control system. The computer-controlled polymerization mechanism precisely regulates viscosity changes without requiring manual adjustment, achieving high precision viscosity control while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through computer monitoring of polymerization progression. The system adjusts injection parameters based on real-time viscosity changes, ensuring precise control over the cement's flow characteristics throughout the injection process and preventing leakage
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 system enables controlled and precise injection of bone cement with consistent viscosity, reducing the risk of leakage and complications, improving the safety and efficacy of vertebroplasty procedures by minimizing extravasation and ensuring better cement distribution within the vertebrae.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure source configured for detachable communication with the base to draw the liquid monomer component into the non-liquid polymer component
Implementation Method 2
a heating system configured for heating the liquid monomer component
Implementation Method 3
a cooling system configured for cooling the curable bone cement
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system and method can used to treat a bone. The system and method can include the preparation of bone cement to be used in the treatment. A non-liquid component and a liquid component can be combined to form a bone cement. A vacuum system can be used to saturate the non-liquid component with the liquid component. The bone cement and/or components can be heated and/or cooled.