Syringe Proximal Aperture for Bone Cement Loading
Solution Overview
Problem
High viscosity bone cement is difficult to pour into syringe barrels due to small openings, leading to air pockets and pressure spikes during injection, which can cause separation of the cement's liquid and powder components, resulting in inefficient dispensing and potential syringe jamming.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design featuring a proximal aperture with a sliding cover that can be closed by a plunger, allowing for easy loading and secure sealing of the cement, preventing air pockets and pressure issues during dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bone cement is poured into the proximal end of the syringe through a small opening, then the syringe can be filled with cement material, but the high viscosity and small opening make the pouring difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe body is divided into two separate openings: a proximal opening for loading cement material and a distal opening for dispensing. This segmentation allows the cement to be loaded through the proximal opening without interfering with the distal dispensing mechanism, reducing loading time and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a longitudinal dimension to the syringe body by adding a proximal opening at one end and a distal opening at the other end, creating a multi-dimensional loading and dispensing pathway. This dimensional separation allows independent access points for material input and output, eliminating the need to pour through a single small opening.
2Quantity of substance
If bone cement is poured into the syringe through a small opening, then the syringe can be filled, but air pockets develop along the syringe barrel causing pressure spikes during injection
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the loading opening (proximal) from the dispensing opening (distal), the patent creates distinct zones for material input and output. This segmentation prevents air from being trapped between the cement and the syringe wall, as air can escape through the distal opening during injection, eliminating pressure spikes and ensuring stable delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the distal opening as an intermediary escape path for air bubbles. During injection, air pockets that would normally cause pressure spikes are allowed to escape through the distal opening, acting as a pressure relief mechanism that maintains injection stability.
3Quantity of substance
If bone cement is poured into the syringe, then the syringe can be filled with material, but the process is time-consuming which is problematic when curing time is short
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of loading and dispensing openings allows for rapid loading of cement material through the proximal opening without requiring the operator to maneuver through a small distal opening. This segmentation enables faster material transfer and reduces the overall time required to prepare the syringe for injection.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the proximal opening at a different location (the end opposite the distal opening), the patent creates a longer, more direct pathway for material loading. This dimensional change allows bulkier materials to be loaded more easily and quickly, improving productivity while maintaining control over the dispensing process.
4Quantity of substance
If high viscosity cement is poured into the syringe, then the syringe can be filled with the material, but pressure spikes cause the liquid portion to separate from the powder portion
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of loading and dispensing openings prevents premature separation of the cement components. The proximal opening allows the full cement mixture to be loaded intact, and the distal opening controls the dispensing rate, preventing pressure spikes that would cause the liquid and powder portions to separate.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal opening acts as a controlled intermediary that regulates the flow of cement material. By controlling the dispensing rate through this opening, the system prevents pressure buildup that would otherwise cause component separation, maintaining cement homogeneity throughout the injection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe and a method of using the syringe are disclosed. The syringe includes a longitudinal body having proximal and distal ends and including an aperture between the proximal and distal ends. An injectable material, such as an adhesive bone cement, may be loaded into the body of the syringe through the aperture. After the injectable material is inserted, the aperture may be closed by covering the aperture with an aperture cover. The aperture cover may be configured to slide into a position covering the aperture, or the aperture cover may be placed in a position covering the aperture, such as by pivoting about a hinge. After the aperture is closed, the injectable material may be dispensed from the distal end of the syringe body by depressing a plunger. Depressing the plunger may initiate the closing of the aperture, or the aperture may be closed independently of plunger movement.