Gravity-Fed Bone Cement Delivery with Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone cement injection devices are invasive, difficult to control in real-time, and can cause complications such as soft tissue damage and pulmonary embolism, with limited ability to adjust injection volume or rate in response to varying bone conditions.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive apparatus and method using a tube with a relief valve and light source to deliver a bone reinforcing mixture, allowing for controlled infusion and hardening within the bone, featuring a flexible bone fitting portion and catheter with pressure relief mechanisms to manage pressure and air escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure delivery source is used to inject bone cement, then injection speed and productivity are improved, but device complexity and risk of complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-pressure mechanical injection system with a gravity-fed delivery system. The bone cement flows into the bone cavity under gravity alone, eliminating the need for complex spring-loaded or screw ram mechanisms. This substitution maintains adequate injection speed while dramatically reducing device complexity and associated complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gravity field as an intermediary force to deliver the bone cement. Instead of using direct mechanical pressure, the system allows gravity to act as the mediating force that drives the cement flow into the bone cavity, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effectiveness.
2Productivity
If high pressure delivery source is used to inject bone cement, then injection speed is improved, but harmful factors to surrounding tissues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the high-pressure mechanical system with a gravity-fed system, the patent eliminates excessive pressure that causes soft tissue damage. The gravity-driven flow delivers bone cement at controlled speeds sufficient for treatment while avoiding the harmful high-pressure effects on surrounding tissues.
3Reliability
If bone marrow is removed to add bone cement mixture, then bone reinforcement effectiveness is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary amount of bone marrow to create space for the bone cement mixture. Rather than complete removal, the system takes out minimal marrow to accommodate the reinforcing material, thereby maintaining bone reinforcement effectiveness while minimizing loss of valuable bone marrow.
4Ease of operation
If traditional injection device is used, then ease of operation is reduced, but device complexity is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical injection mechanisms with a simple gravity-fed system that is easier to operate. The elimination of spring-loaded or screw ram mechanisms, triggers, and high-pressure delivery systems results in a device that is inherently simpler and more intuitive to use, while maintaining adequate injection speed through gravitational flow.
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 precise and controlled delivery of reinforcing materials to weakened bones, reducing invasive procedures and complications, with faster response times and easier volume control, promoting safer and more effective bone reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen for allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass therethrough; and a light source providing light to at least one second inner lumen and to assist in hardening the bone reinforcing mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for reinforcing weakened or fractured bone are disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a bone includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass through, and a bone fitting portion having an opening for accepting the tube, an insertion portion for insertion into the bone, and at least one relief valve.