Frangible Bone Cement Nozzle for Uniform Strip Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement delivery systems in orthopedic procedures lack efficiency in applying uniform flat strips of bone cement and effectively filling small or deep areas without the need for multiple nozzles or manual manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A bone cement nozzle with a frangible distal portion that can be broken off to expose a circular end, allowing for the delivery of flat strips of bone cement and subsequent use of the intermediate portion to fill holes, featuring a linearly variable circular cross-section and a connecting portion for pressurization, enabling efficient surface coverage and precise hole filling without nozzle changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single bone cement nozzle is used for both surface application and hole filling, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of uniform flat strips and precise hole filling is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is segmented into a reusable proximal portion and a disposable distal portion with a frangible connection. The distal portion can be broken off to transform the nozzle from a surface application configuration to a hole filling configuration, allowing a single nozzle to perform both functions with precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design incorporates a frangible connection that allows dynamic transformation of the nozzle geometry. By breaking the distal portion, the nozzle dynamically changes from having an elongated cross-section (for surface strips) to having a circular cross-section (for hole filling), enabling precise delivery for both applications.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple nozzles are used for different bone cement application purposes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bone cement nozzle is designed as a universal device that can perform both surface application and hole filling functions. The frangible connection allows the same nozzle to be used for both purposes by simply breaking off the distal portion, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nozzles while maintaining precision for each application type.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is pre-configured with a frangible connection at a specific location. Before use, the operator decides which configuration is needed and can pre-break the distal portion if hole filling is required, or leave it attached for surface application, thereby preparing the precise delivery geometry in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual manipulation is required for bone cement application, then adaptability is improved, but productivity and procedural efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible connection is designed to be easily broken by the operator through simple manual manipulation. The nozzle design includes features such as a circular groove that facilitates breaking, allowing the operator to quickly transform the nozzle configuration without complex tools or procedures, thereby maintaining productivity while providing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of applying bone cement for an orthopedic procedure of a patient includes coupling a proximal end of a nozzle component to a bone cement applicator and applying bone cement on a surface of an implant or on a bone surface through an elongated distal opening of a distal portion of the nozzle component. The method includes separating the distal portion from an intermediate portion of the nozzle component at a frangible connecting portion and exposing a circular distal end of the intermediate portion.