Compressed Gas Bone Cement Mixer Cartridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone cement mixing systems for PMMA bone cements are complex, prone to user errors, and require multiple steps, often involving electrical or pneumatic components that are costly and difficult to sterilize, with issues such as air pocket formation and uneven mixing ratios.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a cartridge with separate compartments for cement powder and monomer liquid, using compressed gas to automatically mix and deliver the bone cement paste, minimizing manual intervention and avoiding electrical components, with a design that allows for easy sterilization and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If electrical or pneumatic components are used for mixing and delivering bone cement, then automation and mixing precision are improved, but device complexity and sterilization difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of mixing and deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of electrical/pneumatic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a compressed gas cartridge connected to a plunger to deliver bone cement paste. The compressed gas provides pneumatic pressure to push the plunger, which in turn pushes the bone cement paste through the delivery needle. This pneumatic mechanism replaces complex electrical components while maintaining automation and precision of delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple mixing steps and manual intervention are required, then mixing precision can be controlled, but user errors and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing ratio precisionVSAvoidsimplicity of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-mixes the bone cement powder and liquid components in a sealed vial before sterilization. This preliminary mixing action ensures precise mixing ratios are achieved without requiring manual intervention during surgery. The pre-mixed paste is then simply delivered via the pneumatic plunger system, combining precision with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If reusable components are used for cost reasons, then device cost is reduced, but sterilization frequency and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidsterilization cycle frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable bone cement paste delivery system where the entire assembly (vial, plunger, needle) is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for repeated sterilization cycles and maintenance of reusable components, reducing long-term operational costs despite the initial manufacturing cost of disposable items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 device simplifies the mixing and application of PMMA bone cement, reducing the risk of user errors and ensuring a homogeneous paste with minimal effort, while being cost-effective and hygienically disposable.

Implementation Method 1

a compressed gas connection 8 which is directly connected or connected via a compressed gas line pressure-tight manner with the interior chamber (2b) of the monomer receptacle (2), whereby the conveying plunger (6) is arranged between the monomer liquid container (3) and the compressed gas connection (8)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed gas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a connection (14) which connects the interior chamber (2b) of the monomer receptacle (2) and the interior chamber (1a) of the cartridge (1) and which is permeable for the monomer liquid but impermeable for the cement powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorous filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11529600B2Powder-liquid bone cement mixer with compressed gas connection

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH

AI summary

A device and method for producing a bone cement paste from a monomer liquid and a cement powder, wherein the device comprises a cartridge with a cylindrical interior chamber for mixing the parent components, whereby the interior chamber of the cartridge is closed on the front side up to a delivery opening for expelling the bone cement paste from the interior chamber, a delivery plunger which is arranged in the interior chamber of the cartridge and which is supported in a linearly movable manner in the direction of the delivery opening, the cement powder, which is arranged in the interior chamber of the cartridge between the delivery opening and the delivery plunger, a monomer receptacle with an interior chamber in which a monomer liquid container containing the monomer liquid is contained, whereby in the monomer receptacle, a conveying plunger is arranged movable in the longitudinal direction of the monomer receptacle, a compressed gas connection, whereby the conveying plunger is arranged between the monomer liquid container and the compressed gas connection or the compressed gas line in the monomer receptacle.