Tissue Conditioning Assembly for Sterile Transfer and Homogeneous Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for preparing autologous tissue material, such as autologous cartilage or bone tissue, face issues of contamination risk during transfer, bacterial growth, and insufficient homogeneity of the application mixture, especially when particle size reduction is required.

Innovation Solution

A processing arrangement with a connecting device that allows sealed transfer of tissue material from a collection container to a processing container, featuring a shredding tool for size reduction and a mixing tool for homogenization, integrated with a processing device for automated or semi-automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tissue material is transferred from collection container to syringe using known systems, then the tissue material can be processed and mixed with blood serum, but contamination or bacterial growth can occur during transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterility of tissue materialVSAvoidcomplexity of transfer process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collection container and processing container are merged into a single integrated sterile system connected by a sealed through-opening. This allows tissue material to be transferred directly from collection to processing without exposure to external environment, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A sterile connecting device with a sealed through-opening acts as an intermediary between the collection container and processing container. This intermediary maintains the sterile barrier during transfer, allowing material passage while preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If additional particle size reduction of tissue material is required, then the tissue material can be shredded to desired size, but the risk of contamination is even greater due to additional handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle size uniformityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shredding function is merged into the sealed through-opening of the connecting device. Tissue material is shredded in-situ within the sterile environment during transfer, achieving particle size reduction without breaking the sterile barrier or requiring additional handling steps that would increase contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If tissue material is mixed with blood serum using repeated syringe plunging, then the contents are mixed to form paste-like application mixture, but the procedure is relatively time-consuming and often results in insufficient homogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of application mixtureVSAvoidmixing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical mixing process of repeatedly pushing syringe plungers is replaced with an automated mixing device that stirs the tissue material and blood serum mixture. This substitution achieves superior homogeneity in less time while reducing manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing device is integrated into the processing container, allowing the system to perform its own mixing function automatically once the components are combined, eliminating the need for manual back-and-forth syringe manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the collection container and processing container are sealed and attached to connecting device, then sterile transfer of tissue material is ensured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterility assuranceVSAvoidstructure of processing arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (collection, sealed transfer, shredding, and processing) are merged into an integrated system where the connecting device with sealed through-opening becomes a central hub. This consolidation maintains sterility assurance while reducing the number of separate components and connections needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 sterile processing and high homogeneity of the application mass by preventing contamination and optimizing the mixing process, allowing for automated and efficient production of a paste-like mixture.

Implementation Method 1

a shredding tool (82) is provided at the through-opening (80)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a mixing tool (84) protruding into the mixing receptacle (74) is provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP4324412B1Conditioning assembly
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 H&B ELECTRONICS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4324412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4324412B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4324412B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing arrangement (6) for tissue material (G) taken from a patient (P) and to be applied after processing, such as, in particular, autologous cartilage or bone tissue, comprises a collection container (8) having a collection receptacle (34) for receiving the tissue material (G) taken by means of a tissue sampling device (12), a processing container (52) having a mixing receptacle (74) for jointly receiving the tissue material (G) and a liquid to pasty medium (M), and a processing device (58) for mixing the tissue material (G) and the medium (M). A connecting device (50) is provided, to which first fastening means (60) for attaching the collection container (8) and second fastening means (66) for attaching the processing container (52), as well as a through-opening (80) that can be positioned between the collection receptacle (34) and the mixing receptacle (74), are provided.