Sealed Bone Cement Mixing Device with Dual Chamber Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone cement mixing and dispensing methods using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydroxyapatite are hazardous due to toxic monomers, difficult to mix thoroughly, and have limited working time, making it challenging to inject the mixture into damaged bones effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with two chambers for mixing and dispensing bone cement components, minimizing exposure to toxic vapors and extending working time by allowing controlled mixing and dispensing through a valve system with plungers, enabling efficient injection into damaged bones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hand mixing in open containers is used, then the mixing process is simple, but significant vaporization of toxic monomer MMA occurs and working time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the mixing system into separate sealed chambers for each bone cement component, preventing contact between the components and the external environment until mixing is initiated. This segmentation eliminates toxic vapor exposure while maintaining mixing simplicity through controlled component delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed chamber system creates an inert environment that prevents the liquid monomer MMA from vaporizing into the surrounding air. By containing the components in sealed chambers and only allowing mixing within the controlled device, the harmful vaporization effect is eliminated.
2Device complexity
If hand mixing in open containers is used, then the mixing process is simple, but thorough mixing is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a vibration mechanism that agitates the bone cement components during mixing in the sealed chambers. This mechanical vibration ensures thorough mixing of the powder and liquid components without requiring complex manual mixing procedures, thus achieving both mixing thoroughness and operational simplicity.
3Loss of time
If traditional mixing and transfer method is used, then the working time increases, but viscosity constantly increases making injection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the mixing chamber and injection syringe into a single integrated unit. The bone cement components are mixed within the sealed chambers and then directly injected into the damaged bone without requiring transfer to a separate syringe. This eliminates the time loss associated with transfer operations and maintains consistent viscosity control throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous operation from mixing through injection without interruption or transfer steps. The sealed chambers allow the bone cement to be mixed and then immediately injected in a continuous flow, preventing the working time from increasing and maintaining optimal viscosity for injection throughout the procedure.
4Productivity
If high injection pressures and large bore needles are used, then injection near end of working time is possible, but device complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating transfer time and maintaining continuous mixing and injection within the sealed device, the bone cement reaches the injection site at the optimal point in its working time curve. This continuous action ensures the mixture has not yet reached high viscosity, allowing injection with normal pressures and needles, thereby reducing patient risk and device complexity.
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 solution reduces exposure to toxic fumes and extends the working time for bone cement injection, facilitating safer and more effective stabilization of damaged bones by minimizing the viscosity increase during mixing and transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Within the second chamber, the first bone cement component mixes with the second bone cement component to form the bone cement mixture
Implementation Method 2
In fluid communication with the first and second chambers is a valve proximate the distal ends of the first and second chambers
Implementation Method 3
A first plunger and a second plunger are disposed cooperatively within the first and second chambers, respectively, and configured to actuate within the corresponding chamber
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device for mixing and dispensing a bone cement mixture is provided. The device comprises a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is for containing a first bone cement component. The second chamber is for containing a second bone cement component. A valve is in fluid communication with the first and second chambers. A first and a second plunger are respectively within the first and second chambers and are configured to actuate within their respective chambers. When the valve is in a first position actuating the first plunger advances the first bone cement component into the second chamber to form the bone cement mixture.