Vacuum Mixing System for PMMA Bone Cement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum mixing systems for polymethyl methacrylate bone cement require external vacuum pumps, which are expensive, cumbersome, and disrupt surgical workflows due to the need for setup and connection in the operating room, and often result in air pockets in the cement dough.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum mixing system that generates negative pressure using a tensioned restoring element, such as a spring, integrated within the system, allowing for self-contained mixing of bone cement components without external energy sources, reducing the need for external vacuum pumps and hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If external vacuum pumps are used for mixing bone cement, then mixing quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump, mixing chamber, and bone cement components into a single integrated disposable unit. The pump chamber is formed within the same cartridge that holds the bone cement components, eliminating the need for separate external vacuum pumps and reducing system complexity while maintaining mixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable single-use cartridge containing both the bone cement components and an integrated vacuum pump. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable external vacuum pumps and complex setup procedures, reducing both cost and device complexity while ensuring consistent mixing quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If external vacuum pumps are used for mixing bone cement, then mixing quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump and mixing functions are merged into a single integrated cartridge that is ready to use immediately. The practitioner simply needs to activate the pump by pressing a button or pulling a tab, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures and improving ease of operation while maintaining mixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cartridge is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. The vacuum pump is pre-loaded within the cartridge and automatically generates negative pressure when activated, eliminating the need for external setup or connection to hospital vacuum systems, thereby significantly improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If manual mixing with spatulas is used, then ease of operation is improved, but mixing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mixing function with the vacuum generation function in a single integrated system. The mixing chamber is the same chamber where vacuum is generated, allowing automatic removal of air pockets during mixing while maintaining simple operation. The mixing element is positioned to ensure thorough mixing under vacuum conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure differential created by the vacuum pump to remove air pockets from the bone cement mixture. The negative pressure generated in the mixing chamber automatically draws out air bubbles through a vacuum port, improving mixing quality without requiring complex mechanical mixing mechanisms.
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 simplifies the mixing process, reduces the risk of air pockets, and allows for efficient, portable, and cost-effective mixing of bone cement without the need for external energy sources or complex setup, enhancing surgical efficiency and cement quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for generating a negative pressure and a connecting line that connects the interior of the at least one cartridge with the pump for generating a negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
a tensioned restoring element for driving the pump, which is or can be connected to the pump and in which energy is stored for at least one pumping process of the pump
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum mixing system for mixing polymethyl methacrylate bone cement, comprising at least one cartridge (4) with an evacuable interior for mixing the bone cement, a pump (18) for generating a vacuum, and a connecting line (12) that connects the interior of the at least one cartridge (4) to the pump (18) for generating a vacuum, wherein the vacuum mixing system has an integrated energy storage device (28) for driving the pump (18), which is connected or connectable to the pump (18) and in which energy for at least one pumping operation of the pump (18) is stored, wherein during the pumping operation a vacuum can be generated by consuming energy from the integrated energy storage device (28) with the pump (18), so that gas can be evacuated from the interior of the at least one cartridge (4) by means of the vacuum through the connecting line (12).The invention also relates to a method for mixing polymethyl methacrylate bone cement in an interior of a cartridge (4) of a vacuum mixing system, wherein energy stored in an energy storage device (28) integrated in the vacuum mixing system is used to drive a pump (18) of the vacuum mixing system, wherein the interior of the cartridge (4) is evacuated with the pump (18) driven in this way and a bone cement is mixed in the interior of the cartridge (4).