Enclosed Syringe Mixing System for Bone Cement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement mixing and delivery systems rely on manual open mixing, which is messy, difficult to achieve uniformity, and poses contamination risks, and the transfer step is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An enclosed syringe-to-syringe mixing and delivery system that uses rigid tubes with movable pistons to facilitate high-shear mixing, reducing contamination and preparation time, and includes a packaging design that enhances powder filling and extends shelf life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual open mixing with bowl and spatula is used, then mixing can be performed, but contamination risk increases and uniformity is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing and delivery functions into a single integrated syringe system. The powder and liquid components are contained in separate syringes that connect via a common interface, allowing mixing to occur within the delivery syringe itself rather than requiring separate mixing bowls and transfer steps. This integration eliminates contamination risks associated with open mixing while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common interface as an intermediary component that connects the powder syringe and liquid syringe. This interface serves as a controlled transfer point where materials meet without requiring open mixing environments. The intermediary structure enables precise material delivery while preventing contamination that would occur with direct open mixing.
2Productivity
If open mixing and transfer steps are used, then bone cement can be prepared, but preparation time increases and messiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mixing chamber and delivery mechanism into a single syringe unit. The powder syringe and liquid syringe connect through a common interface, allowing the mixing process to occur directly within the delivery syringe. This eliminates the need for separate transfer steps between mixing bowls and delivery devices, reducing both preparation time and operational messiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bone cement system into separate powder and liquid components that are independently contained in各自的 syringes. This segmentation allows each component to be prepared and stored separately without contamination, then quickly combined at the point of use through the common interface. The segmented design enables rapid mixing without the messiness of handling separate components in open containers.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional mixing systems are used, then bone cement can be mixed, but uniformity is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The common interface acts as a controlled intermediary that ensures uniform mixing by providing a defined geometry for material interaction. As materials pass through this standardized interface during the pushing action, they are forced to mix in a consistent manner, improving uniformity compared to manual spatula mixing. The intermediary structure guides the flow and interaction of materials without requiring complex mechanical mixing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing mechanism utilizes periodic pushing actions on the syringe plungers to achieve uniform mixing. The alternating advancement of powder and liquid through the common interface creates periodic flow patterns that enhance mixing uniformity. This simple periodic mechanical action, rather than continuous complex agitation, achieves consistent material homogeneity.
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 system improves cement injectability, reduces contamination risks, and shortens preparation time while maintaining the quality and stability of the bone cement, allowing for efficient and uniform mixing and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The application of force to alternate pistons produces high shear during the mixing step
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Bone cement mixing and delivery device and methods are disclosed. The device includes a first tube/barrel (e.g., a syringe barrel) containing a bone cement powder and a second tube/barrel that can be filled with or that contains a liquid; the first and second tubes/barrels can be fluidly connected end-to-end such that there is fluid communication between the tubes/barrels. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the device for use, methods for forming a bone cement using the device, and methods and device design to extend the shelf life of the device.