Bone Cement Paste Kit Vacuum Mixing System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional PMMA bone cements require precise and rapid mixing of two components, which can lead to errors, air bubble formation, and exposure to hazardous vapors, necessitating trained personnel and additional equipment, while also having stability issues that affect their usability in medical applications.

Innovation Solution

A two-part polymethylmethacrylate bone cement kit is developed, where one paste contains a monomer, peroxide initiator, and tertiary amine co-accelerator, and the other paste contains a heavy metal compound and sulfimide co-accelerator, allowing for stable storage and rapid curing upon mixing without forming a tacky surface layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional PMMA bone cement components are mixed manually, then the mixing process is simple, but mixing errors occur and air bubbles form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing simplicityVSAvoidmixing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses vacuum mixing that automatically removes air bubbles during the mixing process, eliminating the need for manual degassing operations while ensuring consistent mixing quality and preventing air bubble formation in the final cement product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mixing operations with an automated vacuum mixing system that combines mechanical mixing with vacuum degassing, substituting human-operated simple mixing with a more complex automated system that delivers reliable, error-free mixing results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If vacuum mixing systems are used, then air bubble formation is prevented, but equipment complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecement qualityVSAvoidmixing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mixing function and vacuum degassing function into a single integrated mixing system, where the vacuum pump serves dual purposes of facilitating mixing and removing air bubbles, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to separate mixing and degassing equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum pump in the mixing system performs multiple functions: it creates vacuum for degassing, facilitates mixing by removing air pockets, and controls the mixing process atmosphere, making the equipment highly versatile and reducing the need for additional specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional PMMA bone cement is used, then the cement can be applied, but user exposure to hazardous vapors and particles occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication capabilityVSAvoiduser exposure to vapors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum mixing system operates in a controlled vacuum environment that prevents monomer vapor escape into the surrounding air, protecting users from hazardous vapor exposure while maintaining the chemical properties needed for cement application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Reliability

If trained personnel are required for mixing, then mixing quality is maintained, but training costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing consistencyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum mixing system automatically performs the complex mixing and degassing operations that previously required trained personnel, with the system self-regulating the mixing process and eliminating the need for operator skill in timing, technique, and quality assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

5Reliability

If waiting time is required after mixing, then cement application quality is ensured, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecement application qualityVSAvoidoperational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum mixing system continuously removes air bubbles throughout the entire mixing process rather than requiring a separate waiting period for degassing, allowing the cement to be immediately applicable after mixing without delayed productivity loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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 kit provides a stable, easy-to-use bone cement that cures within minutes, reducing the risk of errors and exposure to hazardous substances, and forms a polymer that is non-tacky and tolerable for contact with human tissue, enhancing its medical applicability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one monomer for radical polymerisation with a boiling point below 120° C. at a pressure of 1,013 mbar; at least one peroxide as polymerisation initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical polymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

at least one peroxide as polymerisation initiator; at least one heavy metal compound as polymerisation accelerator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

at least one monomer for radical polymerisation with a boiling point below 120° C. at a pressure of 1,013 mbar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9707312B2Paste-like bone cement
Publication Date: 2017.07.18 HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH

AI summary

Kit for producing a bone cement paste, comprising a paste A and a paste B; paste A comprising at least one monomer for radical polymerization, at least one peroxide polymerization initiator and at least one tertiary amine, at least one amidine or a mixture of a tertiary amine and amidine; paste B comprising at least one monomer for radical polymerization, at least one heavy metal compound as polymerization accelerator, and as polymerization co-accelerator at least one sulfimide, at least one dicarboxylic acid imide or a mixture thereof, at least one of the pastes A and B comprising at least one filling agent that is insoluble in the monomer of paste A and/or the monomer of paste B.