Bone Cement Mixing Cartridge with Piercing Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement mixing devices for vertebroplasty face challenges such as air bubble inclusion, complex operation, high cost, and contamination risks due to manual mixing and handling, which can lead to application errors and increased training requirements for medical users.
Innovation Solution
A device that stores cement powder and monomer liquid separately, allowing for automated mixing and discharge using a simple, manually driven squeezing system, minimizing user interaction with the components and reducing the risk of contamination, with a design that enables easy sterilization and use as a disposable product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mixing of cement components is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but air bubbles are included and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs mixing automatically without requiring manual intervention. The monomer liquid container is automatically pierced and the monomer is automatically dispensed into the cement powder when the plunger is actuated, eliminating the need for manual mixing while ensuring consistent, contamination-free mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful manual mixing step is extracted and removed from the process. The system uses automated mechanical mixing where the plunger directly dispenses monomer onto the cement powder, eliminating the separate manual mixing operation that introduces air bubbles and contamination risks
2Reliability
If complex mixing devices are used to avoid air bubbles, then mixing quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container, mixing chamber, and dispensing mechanism are merged into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The monomer liquid container, cement powder container, and plunger form one unified device that performs all functions (storage, mixing, and dispensing) without requiring separate components or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger serves multiple functions: it acts as a barrier to separate components during storage, a piercing needle to breach the monomer container, a dispensing mechanism to transfer monomer to cement powder, and a mixing tool to combine the components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mixing devices
3Ease of manufacture
If reusable mixing devices are used, then cost is reduced, but sterilization complexity and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The entire cartridge assembly including the monomer liquid container, cement powder container, and plunger is designed as a disposable single-use device. After one use, the entire cartridge is discarded, eliminating the need for complex sterilization processes while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simple plastic construction
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into separate, easily manufacturable components (monomer container, cement powder container, plunger, cartridge housing) that can be produced independently using simple injection molding techniques. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured cheaply and disposed of after single use
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for storage and mixing, then flexibility is maintained, but operation complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple separate components (monomer storage, cement powder storage, mixing chamber, dispensing mechanism) into a single pre-assembled cartridge that requires no assembly by the user. The cartridge is inserted into the injection device as one unit, eliminating complex multi-step assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
All preparation actions are performed in advance during manufacturing: components are pre-assembled, sealed, and configured in the correct positions within the cartridge. The user simply needs to insert the pre-prepared cartridge and actuate the plunger, eliminating the need for training on complex assembly and preparation procedures
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 device simplifies the bone cement application process, reduces the risk of air bubble inclusion, and minimizes contamination, while being cost-effective and easy to use, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of vertebroplasty procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Advancing a delivery piston (6) in the direction of the cartridge (1) with the rod (44), whereupon the delivery piston (6) presses the monomer liquid (4) from the receptacle (2) into the cartridge (1)
Implementation Method 2
whereupon the delivery piston (6) is pierced with the rod (44) and the rod (44) hits a discharge piston (7) arranged in the cartridge (1) in series behind it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device comprises a container which forms a receptacle (2) at its rear in which a monomer liquid container (3) is arranged, wherein the container forms a cartridge (1) at its front in which a cement powder (5) is contained, wherein a movable conveying piston (6) is arranged in the receptacle (2) which is accessible from a rear of the receptacle (2), wherein a movable discharge piston (7) is arranged in the cartridge (1) between the monomer liquid container (3) and the cement powder (5), wherein the receptacle (2) and the cartridge (1) are connected to each other via a connection (14), and wherein the conveying piston (6) can be pierced from the rear with a rod when movement of the conveying piston (6) towards the front of the container is blocked.wherein the discharge piston (7) can be advanced by further driving the rod through the blocked and pierced conveying piston (6) towards the front of the cartridge (1).