Bone Cement Mixing Valve With Frustoconical Sealing Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical implant systems face challenges in achieving a reliable seal for bone cement mixing and delivery, particularly during storage, mixing, and application, due to issues with valve design and material selection.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a frustoconically shaped surface and a cylindrical shape at the extremity, constructed from elastomeric materials like silicone, which minimizes thickness and provides shape memory for effective sealing, is used to ensure a secure seal during the mixing and delivery of bone cement components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is used to seal bone cement components during storage and mixing, then reliability of sealing is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional valve components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly integrates multiple sealing functions into a single unified structure. The base, projection, and frustoconical surface are combined into one valve component that simultaneously seals the first component in the mixing chamber and controls flow through the passage, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with a nested structure where the projection extends from the base and the frustoconical surface is integrated within the projection. This nesting allows the valve to compactly fit within the mixing chamber architecture while maintaining multiple sealing surfaces and flow control functions, reducing space requirements and assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If elastomeric material with shape memory is used for the valve, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to thickness minimization
Solution Approach 1:
The valve utilizes elastomeric material properties by changing the physical state and memory characteristics of the material. The shape memory effect allows the valve to automatically return to its original configuration after deformation during sealing, providing reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on thickness, as the material self-corrects through its elastic recovery properties.
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 valve effectively seals the bone cement components during storage, mixing, and application, preventing air leakage and ensuring proper assembly, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the bone cement mixing and delivery process.
Implementation Method 1
constructed from elastomeric materials like silicone, which minimizes thickness and provides shape memory for effective sealing
Data Source
AI summary
According to one example, a valve for an apparatus configured to mix bone cement is disclosed. The valve can include a base defining a first portion of a passage. The passage can be configured to allow a component of the bone cement through the valve. The valve can include a projection extending from the base to a base opposing end and forming a second portion of the passage that communicates with the first portion. The projection can have a frustoconically shaped surface that comprises one of an outer surface or an inner surface that forms a part of the second portion of the passage.