Bone Material Dispensing System Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone material dispensing devices face issues with contamination, spillage, and clogging during the transfer and delivery of bone grafts, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to surrounding tissues during orthopedic procedures.

Innovation Solution

A reusable bone material dispensing system that includes a tray for easy loading, a locking mechanism to prevent spillage, and a plunger mechanism for controlled incremental dispensing, reducing the risk of contamination and clogging, and allowing precise administration of bone material to surgical sites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If bone material is transferred by crude packing of the dispensing device, then the loading process is simple, but it causes unwanted waste and spillage of bone material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading simplicityVSAvoidbone material spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tray as an intermediary component between the bone material source and the dispensing device. The tray holds the bone material in a controlled manner and engages with the dispensing device to enable precise transfer, eliminating the crude packing method that causes spillage while maintaining ease of loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional dispensing devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but they increase the risk of contamination of the bone material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dispensing system into distinct components: a reusable dispensing device and a disposable tray. This segmentation allows the tray to be discarded after single use, preventing contamination of the bone material and the dispensing device, while keeping the main device structure relatively simple and reusable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If certain dispensing devices are used, then they can deliver bone material, but bone material can clog the devices due to its consistency and design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone material deliveryVSAvoidclogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the bone material delivery system by using a tray that holds the material in a specific configuration and engages with the dispensing device in a controlled manner. This changes the flow characteristics and reduces clogging issues caused by the material's consistency and device design incompatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If conventional dispensing methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but the bone material cannot be controlled effectively in terms of delivery amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddelivery control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the crude mechanical packing method with a more precise engagement mechanism between the tray and dispensing device. The tray's engagement with the device provides controlled delivery of bone material in specific amounts, while the overall operation remains straightforward through the engaging mechanism.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3817679B1Bone material dispensing system with locking member
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC
  • EP3817679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3817679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3817679B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A bone material dispensing device is provided. The bone material dispensing device comprises a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The proximal end having a first opening and the distal end having a second opening. The first opening and the second opening configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a plunger. A locking member is provided that is pivotably connected to an upper surface of the housing and extends adjacent to the upper surface of the housing. The locking member comprises a locking surface extending adjacent to the distal end of the housing configured to engage a portion of a tubular member, a funnel, or a combination thereof. The locking member is movable in a locking position to lock the portion of the tubular member, the funnel, or the combination thereof with the housing. A bone material dispensing system and a method of implanting bone material with the bone material dispensing system are also provided.