Side Ampoule Breaker for Complete Bone Cement Liquid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispensing monomer liquid from glass ampoules into bone cement cartridges are complex, prone to leakage, and incomplete transfer, especially in prepacked mixing systems, leading to potential air inclusion and mechanical properties degradation in PMMA bone cement.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an ampoule breaker with a holder, breaking element, and fluid-conducting channel that retains liquid via a meniscus until pressure differential, ensuring complete transfer to a cartridge containing the powder component, facilitating safe and efficient mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If monomer liquid is dispensed from glass ampoules using existing methods in prepacked mixing systems, then the liquid transfer process is simple, but the transfer is incomplete and prone to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a needle as an intermediary component that pierces through the ampoule stopper to establish a fluid connection between the ampoule interior and the cartridge. This intermediary mechanism enables complete and controlled liquid transfer without leakage, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability of the transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical liquid transfer mechanisms with a simple piercing action using a needle. This substitution maintains ease of manufacture while achieving complete and reliable liquid transfer, as the needle creates a direct fluid pathway that eliminates transfer inconsistencies.
2Ease of operation
If monomer liquid is dispensed using conventional methods, then the process is straightforward, but air bubbles are included in the bone cement mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The needle acts as a controlled intermediary that allows liquid to flow directly into the cartridge without introducing air bubbles. The direct fluid pathway created by the needle prevents air entrapment while maintaining ease of operation, as the piercing action naturally guides liquid flow without air inclusion.
3Ease of operation
If glass ampoules are broken open for liquid dispensing, then liquid access is achieved, but glass fragments may contaminate the bone cement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary function of breaking the ampoule (to access liquid) while eliminating the harmful aspect (glass fragments). By using a needle to pierce the stopper rather than breaking the entire ampoule, the system achieves liquid access without generating glass contamination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If prepacked mixing systems are used, then storage and transport are simplified, but liquid transfer from ampoules is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The needle serves as a precise intermediary that enables complete liquid transfer within the prepacked system. This intermediary mechanism maintains the storage and transport advantages of prepacking while achieving manufacturing precision in liquid transfer, as the needle creates a controlled pathway that eliminates incomplete transfer.
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
Ensures complete and controlled dispensing of monomer liquid from glass ampoules into bone cement cartridges, reducing air inclusion and enhancing the mechanical properties of the resulting PMMA bone cement.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid-conducting channel for delivering a liquid from the collection area into the second interior space, wherein the fluid-conducting channel is arranged and configured due to a small inner diameter, which causes a meniscus of the fluid to form in the fluid-conducting channel
Implementation Method 2
a breaking element arranged in the first housing which is designed and configured for breaking a glass ampoule that can be received in the holder
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for producing bone cement, comprising an ampoule breaker (101) with a first housing (102), wherein the first housing has a first interior space (110), a holder (103) arranged in the first housing for receiving a glass ampoule (201), a breaking element (104) arranged in the first housing, which is designed and configured for breaking a glass ampoule that can be received in the holder, a collection area (105) arranged in the first housing, which is designed and configured for receiving a liquid from a broken glass ampoule, a cartridge (300) configured for receiving a powder component of bone cement, wherein the cartridge has a second housing (302) with a second interior space (310), and a fluid-conducting channel (106) for dispensing a liquid from the collection area into the second interior space.wherein the fluid-conducting channel is arranged and configured to retain the fluid in the collecting area and to release the fluid to the second interior space as soon as a pressure difference exists between the collecting area and the second interior space.