Pressure Display for Mixing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing apparatuses for medical applications, such as bone cement, lack reliable methods to check for pressure changes and the emptying of component chambers, leading to potential blockages and incorrect vacuum generation, affecting functional reliability.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus with a cylindrical mixing chamber and component chamber connected via a feed line, featuring a negative pressure device and a display apparatus, such as an elastic bellows, to indicate pressure changes and ensure reliable component transfer, allowing for easy monitoring of the emptying process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum is applied to the container system to empty the ampule, then the liquid component can be transferred into the mixing chamber, but it cannot be verified whether vacuum has been generated in the second container or ampule
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a color-changing indicator that transitions from blue to red to visually signal the generation of vacuum. This color change mechanism provides immediate, intuitive feedback about the pressure state within the container system, resolving the difficulty of detecting and measuring vacuum conditions while enhancing functional reliability through clear visual confirmation.
2Reliability
If the liquid connection is blocked, then vacuum cannot be generated in the second container, but this blockage cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the color-changing indicator that continuously communicates the pressure state to the operator. When the liquid connection is blocked and vacuum cannot be generated, the indicator maintains its initial color, providing immediate feedback about the system state and enabling timely detection and correction of the blockage, thus preventing loss of information about system conditions.
3Reliability
If the ampule is not opened, then liquid component cannot pass into the mixing chamber, but this cannot be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicator provides direct visual verification of the ampule emptying process. When the ampule is successfully opened and the liquid component transfers to the mixing chamber, the pressure change triggers the color transition, allowing immediate verification of the transfer reliability without requiring complex detection equipment or procedures.
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 apparatus ensures reliable pressure equalization and component transfer, providing a simple and reliable method to verify the emptying of the component chamber, enhancing the operational reliability of the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
A negative pressure device which can generate a negative pressure in the mixing chamber is provided. A pressure difference can thus be generated between the mixing chamber and the component chamber such that the liquid component is transported into the mixing chamber by the pressure difference.
Implementation Method 2
A display apparatus, for example in the form of an elastic bellows, which can display a pressure change in the component chamber is provided on the component chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing apparatus for mixing at least two components comprises a mixing chamber having a first component and at least one component chamber having a further component. The component chamber is connected to the mixing chamber by a feed line. A negative pressure device generates a negative pressure in the mixing chamber in the starting position. By activating the negative pressure device, the pressure is equalized, whereby the further component is transferred into the mixing chamber. A display apparatus is provided at the component chamber to display a pressure change in the component chamber. The display apparatus is preferably formed by elastic bellows provided at one end of the component chamber, which is disposed opposite of the end of the component chamber following the feed line.