Transparent Bone Cement Mixing Chamber with Vacuum Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical implant systems for mixing bone cement lack efficiency and visibility during the mixing process, making it difficult for surgeons to ensure thorough mixing and determine remaining cement quantities accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mixing chamber with a transparent wall, a handle connected to a mixer, and a valve assembly that creates a vacuum to draw in a liquid component, allowing for effective mixing and visualization of the cement, along with a safety strip to prevent accidental puncture during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a transparent mixing chamber is used, then visibility of the mixing process is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: a transparent mixing chamber for visualization, an opaque receiving chamber for component storage, and a sealed valve assembly. This segmentation allows the transparent portion to serve its visualization function while other portions maintain their protective and functional roles, resolving the contradiction between visibility and device complexity.
2Productivity
If a vacuum system is added to draw in liquid component, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly automatically creates a vacuum and draws the liquid component into the mixing chamber without requiring external pumping equipment. The system uses its own internal mechanisms (valve opening, pressure differential) to perform the transfer function, improving mixing efficiency while avoiding the addition of complex external vacuum systems.
3Reliability
If safety strip is added to prevent accidental puncture, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety strip is pre-installed over the puncture opening in the receiving chamber before use. This preliminary protective measure prevents accidental puncture during transport and storage, improving reliability without requiring complex active safety systems or additional operational steps.
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 thorough mixing of bone cement components and allows surgeons to visually confirm homogeneity and remaining cement quantities, improving procedural efficiency and ensuring adequate cement supply during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a valve assembly that creates a vacuum to draw in a liquid component
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
An apparatus for mixing bone cement can comprise a receiving chamber, a mixing chamber, a cannula, a base, and a piston located within the mixing chamber. The receiving chamber defining a conduit. The mixing chamber in fluid communication with the receiving chamber. The mixing chamber configured to house a first component of the bone cement. The cannula located in the receiving chamber and in fluid communication with the conduit. The base including a bladder arranged to be punctured by the cannula, the bladder configured to house a second component of the bone cement. Upon puncturing of the bladder by the cannula the second component of the bone cement passes through the conduit and the cannula into the mixing chamber. The piston configured to seal the mixing chamber upon movement of the piston from a first position relative to the conduit to a second position relative to the conduit.