Bone Cement Mixing System With Puncture-Activated Plunger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone cement mixing systems face challenges in ensuring reliable and reproducible transfer of monomer liquid into the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement powder, while preventing uncontrolled mixing and conduit blockage due to swelling and sticking during storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base part with a container for monomer liquid and a cartridge for PMMA bone cement powder, featuring a self-sealing connection system with a hollow pin to transfer monomer liquid into the cartridge, preventing leakage and ingress of contaminants, and allowing easy mixing of the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-prepacked mixing system is used to store both cement powder and monomer liquid separately, then reliable storage and transport are improved, but the risk of conduit blockage due to powder penetration and swelling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is divided into separate compartments: a storage container for monomer liquid and a cartridge for cement powder. The hollow pin creates a controlled transfer pathway that segments the storage and mixing functions, preventing powder from accessing and blocking the monomer transfer conduit during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow pin acts as an intermediary element that enables controlled transfer of monomer liquid from the storage container to the cartridge while maintaining separation during storage. It serves as a temporary conduit that is only activated when mixing is required, preventing direct exposure of the main transfer pathway to powder.
2Productivity
If a hollow pin is used to transfer monomer liquid into the cartridge, then complete transfer without blockage is improved, but the complexity of the connection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pin is pre-positioned within the plunger assembly in a retracted state during storage and transport. When mixing is initiated, the plunger moves forward to automatically insert the hollow pin into the cartridge, creating the transfer pathway. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex activation mechanisms while ensuring complete monomer transfer.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger is designed to release the hollow pin tip when the cartridge is pressed, then easy operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection during storage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pin tip is designed with dynamic positioning capability - it is retained in a retracted position within the plunger during storage and transport to maintain connection reliability, but can be automatically extended forward when the cartridge is pressed during mixing. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational state, providing both reliability during storage and ease of operation during mixing.
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
Ensures reliable and secure transfer of monomer liquid into the PMMA bone cement powder, preventing conduit blockage and uncontrolled mixing, while facilitating easy handling and complete mixing without air inclusion, thus improving the mechanical properties of the bone cement.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow pin is configured to pierce the septum when the cartridge is pressed onto the plunger so as to transfer a monomer liquid from the container into the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
transferring a monomer liquid from a container into a cartridge for accommodating a PMMA bone cement powder
Data Source
AI summary
A device for producing bone cement, comprising: a base part, which comprises a container having a carrier for accommodating a vessel containing monomer liquid, a bottom part having a collection region, a hollow pin having a tip, and a plunger having a feedthrough for accommodating the hollow pin; and a cartridge for accommodating a PMMA bone cement powder, wherein the cartridge comprises a septum which delimits the cartridge to the outside; wherein the plunger is configured to accommodate the tip of the hollow pin in the feedthrough when the device is in a basic configuration and to release the tip of the hollow pin from the feedthrough and simultaneously release a monomer liquid from a vessel when the cartridge is pressed onto the plunger.