Finger Joint Spacer Mold Cavities for Pressure-Free Bone Cement Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of molds for producing finger joint spacers, particularly for use in treating infections and joint injuries, which can be easily and reproducibly manufactured using polymethyl methacrylate bone cement, and which allow for the production of spacers of varying sizes and articulating capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A mold device comprising a lower and upper part with mold cavities for forming a spacer body and shaft, allowing for the production of finger joint spacers using polymethyl methacrylate bone cement, with features such as flexible connections, fastening elements, and venting options to ensure easy and complete filling without pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mold device is designed for producing finger joint spacers with varying sizes and articulating capabilities, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold device is divided into separate lower and upper parts with distinct mold cavities. The lower part contains a first mold cavity for forming the spacer body, while the upper part contains a second mold cavity for forming the shaft. This segmentation allows independent design and manufacturing of each component, simplifying production while enabling versatility through different cavity configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold device is designed as a universal system that can produce various types of finger joint spacers with different sizes, shapes, and articulating capabilities using the same basic device structure. The mold cavities can be configured to form different spacer body and shaft combinations, making the device adaptable to multiple surgical requirements without needing separate specialized molds for each spacer type.
2Ease of operation
If the mold device includes features for easy filling without pressure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold cavities are designed with predetermined geometric features including inclined surfaces and opening configurations that facilitate the natural flow and distribution of highly viscous bone cement during filling. The spacer body mold cavity includes an opening configured to receive the bone cement, and the shaft mold cavity is shaped to guide cement flow, enabling complete filling without requiring external pressure or complex filling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold device structure itself provides the filling function through its geometric design. The inclined surfaces and opening configurations enable the bone cement to self-distribute and self-fill the cavities under its own weight and viscosity characteristics, eliminating the need for separate pressure application systems or complex filling mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mold device includes fastening elements and venting options for complete filling, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold device includes venting options that provide visual and physical feedback during the filling process. As bone cement fills the mold cavities, air and excess material can escape through the vents, providing observable feedback that indicates filling progress and completeness. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent, complete filling without requiring complex monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold cavities are pre-configured with fastening elements and venting openings in specific positions and configurations that optimize the filling process. The openings are placed to facilitate cement entry and distribution, while vents are positioned to allow air escape and filling verification, ensuring reproducible results before the actual filling operation begins.
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
Enables the simple and reproducible production of finger joint spacers of different sizes and articulating capabilities, facilitating the treatment of infections and joint injuries by providing a stable and efficient method for forming spacers using bone cement.
Implementation Method 1
spacers made of cured polymethyl methacrylate bone cement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for producing spacers, which comprises a lower part and an upper part, wherein the lower part can be connected to the upper part, and wherein the lower part comprises a first mold cavity, and the upper part comprises a second mold cavity, wherein the first mold cavity is configured to jointly form a hollow space together with the second mold cavity, wherein the first mold cavity comprises a spacer body mold for forming a spacer body, and the second mold cavity comprises a shaft mold for forming a shaft.