Pre-loaded Carrier for Curable Material Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering curable materials into bone structures, such as vertebroplasty, face challenges including unpredictable material flow, uncontrolled deposition, and increased procedural complexity due to the need for multiple syringe reloads and potential radiation exposure, as well as issues with residual material setting inside the cannula.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cannula with a pre-loaded inner section that connects seamlessly to an injector, allowing for controlled delivery of curable material directly to the bone site, reducing procedural time and minimizing residual material within the cannula.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a 1 cc syringe is used to deliver curable material through the cannula, then high pressure can be generated to force material through the cannula, but the procedure requires multiple sterile reloads which increases time, complexity, and radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the delivery system into separate components: a reusable cannula and a disposable carrier assembly that can be pre-filled with larger volumes of curable material. This segmentation allows the cannula to remain outside the bone while the carrier delivers material, eliminating the need for repeated syringe reloads through the bone.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly acts as an intermediary between the curable material source and the cannula. It can be pre-filled with material and then attached to the cannula, serving as a mediator that transfers material without requiring direct manipulation of the cannula during reloading operations.
2Productivity
If curable material is pushed through the supply tube and cannula under substantial pressure, then material can be delivered to the vertebra, but the flow becomes unpredictable and material may burst into the trabecular space causing uncontrolled deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of material flow by controlling the pressurization rate and having the ability to pause delivery. The carrier assembly design enables controlled advancement of material through the cannula, allowing the physician to regulate flow rate and prevent burst delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through radiopaque markers and design features that allow the physician to monitor material flow and carrier position in real-time, enabling adjustment of delivery parameters to maintain controlled deposition.
3Ease of operation
If the cannula is removed after material delivery, then the procedure is complete, but residual curable material that has begun to set inside the cannula may break and leave a spike protruding from the vertebra
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier assembly is designed to be removed from the cannula after material delivery, extracting any residual curable material that has set inside the carrier rather than leaving it in the cannula. This prevents the formation of protruding spikes since the carrier can be withdrawn with the residual material.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to clean and sterilize it for reuse. This disposable nature ensures that any residual material remains in the carrier rather than the reusable cannula, preventing spike formation.
4Device complexity
If a non-compliant supply tube is used to connect the injector to the cannula, then material can be pushed through the system, but the procedure cannot begin until the tube is connected and material advanced, causing significant time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier assembly can be pre-filled with curable material before being attached to the cannula. This preliminary action of pre-loading the carrier eliminates the time-consuming process of advancing material through a long supply tube after connection, as the material is already positioned for immediate delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site.