Bone Cement Mixing and Delivery Device with Integrated Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing and transferring bone replacement materials, such as bone cements, are time-consuming, messy, and prone to waste and contamination, which can lead to premature hardening and render the material unusable for in vivo use.
Innovation Solution
A bone replacement material mixing and delivery device that includes a container with a bottom opening sealed by a spacer within a syringe, allowing for efficient transfer of the material into the syringe while maintaining sterility by keeping the plunger inside and preventing environmental contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plunger is removed from the syringe to transfer bone replacement material, then the material can be easily transferred into the syringe barrel, but the top inside of the barrel and the head of the plunger are exposed to environmental contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is pre-assembled with the plunger already in place before the bone replacement material is transferred. This preliminary configuration ensures that the plunger head and barrel interior remain covered and protected from environmental contamination throughout the material transfer process, eliminating the need to remove the plunger for filling.
2Productivity
If traditional mixing and transfer methods are used, then the bone replacement material can be prepared, but the process is time consuming and may cause the bone cement to prematurely harden
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing container and syringe are designed as integrated components that work together in a unified system. The mixing container features a bottom opening that directly interfaces with the syringe barrel, allowing the mixed bone replacement material to be immediately transferred into the syringe without requiring separate transfer steps, spatulas, or intermediate containers. This merging of functions dramatically reduces transfer time and prevents premature hardening.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger is removed and set down to fill the syringe barrel, then the barrel can be filled, but the plunger is left outside the sterile field which may cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is pre-assembled with the plunger in place before the material transfer begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to handle or set down the plunger during the filling process, ensuring that the plunger remains within the sterile field throughout the entire procedure and maintaining sterility reliability.
4Ease of operation
If bone replacement material is transferred using a spatula, then the material can be moved from mortar to syringe, but there is wastage of expensive bone replacement material left behind in the mortar and dripping outside the syringe
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing container and syringe are integrated with direct fluid communication between the mixing chamber and syringe barrel through the bottom opening interface. This integration allows the mixed bone replacement material to flow directly from the mixing container into the syringe without requiring spatulas or manual transfer, dramatically reducing material waste from residue left in the mixing container and spills during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pressure differentials created by plunger movement to drive the bone replacement material from the mixing container through the bottom opening and into the syringe barrel. This hydraulic/pneumatic transfer mechanism ensures complete evacuation of the mixing container, minimizing residual waste, and provides controlled delivery that prevents dripping outside the syringe.
Data Source
AI summary
Bone cement mixing and delivery devices and methods of using the devices are provided. The bone cement mixing and delivery devices and methods comprise a container having a bottom opening that can be sealed by a spacer in a syringe where movement of the plunger of the syringe moves the spacer away from the bottom opening in the container to dispense bone cement into the syringe. In some embodiments, the devices and methods increases efficiency and reduce the mess associated with transferring the bone cement to the syringe for delivery to a patient.