Manual Mixer Plunger and Variable Spring for Surgical Cement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a manual mixer that can easily mix and agitate materials like bone cement during surgery, preventing them from hardening prematurely, and allows for easy dispensing of the mixed materials for immediate use.
Innovation Solution
A manual mixer with a body portion, a mixing assembly featuring a plunger and a variable-diameter spring, and a cap with a threaded aperture, where the plunger is rotated and moved axially to mix and agitate materials, and a valve assembly for dispensing, ensuring effective mixing and access during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual mixer is designed with both mixing and dispensing functions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mixer is designed with a multi-functional mixing and dispensing assembly that can perform both mixing and dispensing operations. The mixing assembly includes a plunger portion with a mixing element that can rotate to mix materials, and the same assembly can move axially to dispense materials through a valve mechanism, allowing one component to serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mixing mechanism and dispensing mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The plunger portion serves dual purposes: when rotated, it mixes materials through the mixing element; when moved axially, it dispenses materials through the valve assembly. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate mixing and dispensing devices.
2Productivity
If a variable-diameter spring is used in the mixing assembly, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is designed with variable diameter along its length, where different sections have different diameters to create specific mixing patterns. The variable diameter creates varying spring pressures and expansion forces at different heights, enhancing the mixing action. This local variation in geometry is intentionally designed to improve mixing effectiveness rather than being a manufacturing tolerance issue.
3Productivity
If the plunger portion is designed to move both rotationally and axially, then mixing capability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing assembly is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing the plunger portion to perform both rotational and axial movements. The rotational movement activates the mixing element to agitate materials, while axial movement controls the dispensing flow. The system adapts its movement pattern based on the operational phase (mixing vs. dispensing).
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 mixer effectively prevents premature hardening of materials by ensuring thorough mixing and agitation, and allows for easy dispensing, ensuring that the materials are ready for immediate use during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the spring being expanded when the plunger portion is moved upwardly within the interior area, and the spring being compressed when the plunger portion is moved downwardly within the interior area
Implementation Method 2
the stem portion being at least partially threaded, where threads of the partially-threaded stem portion and threads of the partially-threaded aperture engage one another, and where rotation of the stem portion simultaneously rotates the plunger portion and spring, and moves the plunger portion upwardly or downwardly within the interior area
Data Source
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AI summary
A manual mixer serves to facilitate mixing and agitating materials for use during surgery. For example, the manual mixer includes a body portion defining an interior area, a mixing assembly provided in the interior area of the body portion, a crank assembly for actuating the mixing assembly, and a valve assembly. The mixing assembly serves to mix and agitate the materials provided in the interior through rotation of a plunger portion and a spring attached thereto, and through upwards and downwards movement of the plunger portion in the interior area. Rotation of the crank assembly serves to rotate the plunger portion and the spring attached thereto, and effectuate upwards and downwards movement of the plunger portion. The valve assembly can be opened to facilitate dispensing of the materials from the interior area.