Threaded Plunger Bone Filler Delivery Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for delivering bone filler material, such as syringe-type devices and mechanical injectors, face challenges in generating sufficient pressure and precisely controlling the volume of filler material, particularly in applications like vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a housing with a throughbore and a plunger having external threads, which can be advanced through the housing to eject filler material, featuring a threaded receiving member that releasably engages the plunger, allowing for both rotational and axial advancement to control the delivery of bone filler material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If syringe-type devices are used to manually advance the plunger, then the device structure is simple, but the pressure generation capability is insufficient and volume control is imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpressure generation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple manual plunger advancement mechanism with a threaded receiving member that converts rotational motion into axial motion. The threads on the plunger shaft engage with the threaded receiving member, allowing controlled advancement through rotation rather than direct linear pushing, thereby improving pressure generation and volume control while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If syringe-type devices are used to manually advance the plunger, then the device structure is simple, but the volume control precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvolume control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded mechanism substitutes for manual plunger advancement, where the pitch of the threads determines the axial displacement per rotation. This mechanical substitution provides precise, repeatable volume control as each rotation advances the plunger by a fixed amount, enabling accurate delivery of bone filler material volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If mechanical devices with trigger mechanism are used, then the pressure generation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure generation capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex trigger mechanisms with a simpler threaded receiving member system. The threading mechanism inherently provides mechanical advantage for pressure generation while requiring only rotational input, eliminating the need for complex trigger linkages and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adequate pressure generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If mechanical devices with screwing mechanism are used, then the pressure generation capability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure generation capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded receiving member system provides a balance between pressure generation and ease of operation. The external threads on the plunger shaft engage with the threaded receiving member, allowing the operator to advance the plunger through simple rotation. This substitution maintains the mechanical advantage for pressure generation while improving ease of operation compared to traditional screwing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device effectively delivers bone filler material with precise control over pressure and volume, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by enabling reliable stabilization of vertebral fractures and other bone weaknesses.

Implementation Method 1

a plunger having external threads. The plunger may be configured for advancement through the throughbore of the housing. The device may further comprise a threaded receiving member configured to releasably engage the plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS10058369B2Devices for delivering bone filler material and associated methods of use

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, a device for delivering a bone filler material comprising: a housing having a throughbore; a plunger comprising a shaft having external threads, wherein the plunger is configured for advancement through the throughbore of the housing; and a threaded receiving member configured to releasably engage the plunger. Methods for removing an instrument from a vertebral body comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the instrument, wherein a distal end of the instrument is disposed in a cavity in the vertebral body, wherein the cavity contains a filler material; and removing the instrument from the vertebral body.