Thermochromic Syringe for Bone Cement Cure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for determining the cure state of bone replacement materials rely on subjective techniques, such as feel, which are unreliable and affected by environmental conditions, making it difficult to monitor the curing process accurately.
Innovation Solution
The use of a syringe with a thermochromic material or a time-indicating label on the exterior, which provides visual indications of temperature, viscosity, and age of the bone replacement material, allowing for more reliable monitoring of the curing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subjective feel-based techniques are used to determine cure state, then the method is simple and requires no additional devices, but the reliability and precision of cure state determination deteriorates due to environmental conditions and practitioner variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing indicators (thermochromic, pH-sensitive, or time-indicating materials) on the syringe exterior that visually signal the cure state of bone replacement material. These color changes provide objective, reliable monitoring without requiring additional complex electronic devices, thus improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that mediates between the internal cure state of the material and the practitioner's observation. The color-changing materials act as intermediaries that translate internal temperature, pH, or time parameters into visible external signals, enabling reliable monitoring without direct contact with the material.
2Measurement precision
If environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are controlled to improve measurement accuracy, then the precision of subjective assessment improves, but the complexity and cost of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicators are designed to respond specifically to the cure-related parameters (temperature, pH, time) while being relatively insensitive to other environmental variations. This provides precise measurement of cure state without requiring control of ambient temperature and humidity, eliminating the need for complex environmental control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is self-regulating in the sense that the color indicators automatically adjust to reflect the actual cure state under varying environmental conditions. The indicators serve themselves by providing accurate readings regardless of external conditions, eliminating the need for external environmental control mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bone replacement material is allowed to cure longer to reduce fluidity and prevent unwanted flow, then the material stability improves, but the material may become too thick or harden causing difficulties in delivery and setting
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicators provide preliminary warning signals as the material approaches critical cure states. Practitioners can observe the color changes in advance and adjust their delivery timing accordingly, preventing both premature delivery (when material is too fluid) and delayed delivery (when material has hardened), thus optimizing both stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual color indicators provide continuous feedback on the cure progress of the material. This feedback loop enables practitioners to make real-time decisions about when to deliver the material, allowing them to optimize the balance between material stability and deliverability based on actual cure state rather than fixed timing protocols.
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
This solution enables practitioners to accurately determine the cure state of bone replacement materials, reducing the risk of improper delivery and enhancing the efficiency of bone repair procedures by providing objective and consistent monitoring of the material's properties.
Implementation Method 1
a thermochromic material disposed in or on the exterior of the syringe, the thermochromic material configured to provide an indication of temperature, viscosity, and/or age of bone replacement material
Implementation Method 2
a time indicating label disposed on the exterior of the syringe, the time indicating label having a first surface comprising an acid-base indicator and a second surface comprising an activator, wherein when the first surface is brought into contact with the second surface or when the second surface is brought into contact with the first surface, at least a portion of the label changes color indicating elapsed time
Data Source
AI summary
Bone material delivery devices and methods of using the devices are provided. The bone material delivery devices and methods comprise thermochromic material disposed on the exterior of the syringe, the thermochromic material configured to provide an indication of temperature, viscosity, and/or age of bone replacement material in the interior of the syringe. In some embodiments, a time indicating label is disposed on the exterior of the syringe, the time indicating label comprising a label substrate having a first surface comprising an acid-base indicator and a second surface comprising an activator, wherein when the first surface is brought into contact with the second surface or when the second surface is brought into contact with the first surface, at least a portion of the label changes color indicating elapsed time. In some embodiments, the devices and methods allow the practitioner to know the dough time, working time, and setting time of the bone replacement material when it is in the syringe.