Bone Material Dispensing System with Segmented Loading Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone material dispensing systems face challenges such as crude and messy loading, risk of contamination and spillage, clogging issues, and difficulty in accurately dispensing bone material due to bulky designs.

Innovation Solution

A bone material dispensing system comprising a reusable loading device, a funnel, a folding cannula, a holder, a pusher, and a loading device that supports filling bone material into a cannula, allowing for easier loading, reduced contamination risk, incremental dispensing, and a slim profile for improved maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a bulky surface design is used for dispensing bone material, then the dispensing surface area is increased, but the device becomes more difficult to maneuver and accurate dispensing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing surface areaVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing device is divided into multiple components including a handle, a shaft, and a dispensing tip. The dispensing surface is segmented into a small flat surface at the tip rather than a large continuous surface, allowing precise control while maintaining maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional bulky dispensing surface to a three-dimensional slender structure with a small flat dispensing tip. This dimensional change allows the device to maintain adequate dispensing functionality while significantly improving maneuverability in confined surgical spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If crude and messy loading is used to transfer bone material to the dispensing device, then the loading process is simple, but unwanted waste and spillage of bone material occurs

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

Solution Approach 1:

A loading adapter serves as an intermediary component between the bone material source and the dispensing device. This adapter provides a controlled interface that facilitates easy loading while preventing spillage and waste through its designed geometry and engagement features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading adapter is pre-configured with specific geometric features that guide the bone material into the correct position before dispensing. This preliminary arrangement of the loading interface ensures accurate material transfer without requiring complex manual manipulation or risking spillage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the dispensing device is designed with a slim profile, then maneuverability is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing device employs composite construction combining materials with different properties. The handle and shaft utilize materials optimized for strength-to-weight ratio, while the dispensing tip uses materials with high surface finish quality. This composite approach maintains structural integrity despite the slender overall profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the device have locally optimized properties: the handle provides ergonomic grip and structural support, the shaft offers flexibility and strength, and the dispensing tip delivers precise material flow. Each section's geometry and material properties are tailored to its specific function, maintaining overall strength while preserving maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If conventional dispensing devices are used, then bone material can be dispensed, but clogging occurs due to material consistency and device design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing capabilityVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing tip incorporates dynamic features that adapt to the bone material's consistency. The internal geometry allows for slight deformation and adjustment during material flow, preventing stagnation and clogging while maintaining controlled dispensing of the material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device design parameters including internal channel dimensions, surface finish quality, and geometric profile are specifically optimized to match the rheological properties of bone material. These parameter changes ensure smooth material flow through the slender device without clogging, maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4122429B1Bone material dispensing system and methods of use
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC
  • EP4122429B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4122429B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4122429B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A bone material dispensing system is provided. The bone material dispensing system comprises a loading device (700) having a perimeter (724) surrounding a base plane (722) and a rim (726), the perimeter comprising a side wall (704) extending along a longitudinal axis and a bar (710) joining the side wall at a corner of the perimeter and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the base plane comprising a loading surface (702) bordered by the side wall along the longitudinal axis, the loading surface having an end edge extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis such that the side wall, the bar and the end edge form the rim adjacent to the loading surface and the bar. A method of loading bone material with the bone material dispensing system is also provided.