Viscous Material Delivery Device for Vertebroplasty

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering viscous materials, such as bone cement, during vertebroplasty procedures expose clinicians to radiation and result in high pressure build-up, lack of feedback, and susceptibility to clogging due to the use of long extension tubes, leading to safety risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a delivery tube filled with an incompressible fluid and a container for viscous material, where the viscous material is placed within the fluoroscopy field, and the incompressible fluid is pressurized outside the field to exert pressure on the material, reducing the need for the clinician to be in the radiation field and minimizing pressure build-up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a long extension tube is used to deliver viscous material, then the clinician can be positioned outside the fluoroscopy field, but the pressure build-up increases and natural feedback is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure to clinicianVSAvoidpressure build-up within device

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into two separate components: a long extension tube for fluid delivery and a separate container positioned within the fluoroscopy field. This segmentation allows the clinician to remain outside the radiation field while the container provides visual feedback and reduces pressure build-up by being close to the injection site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An incompressible fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the clinician's control and the viscous material delivery. This fluid transmits pressure from the clinician's hand outside the fluoroscopy field to the viscous material near the injection site, enabling remote control while maintaining pressure feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a long extension tube is used to deliver viscous material, then the clinician can be positioned outside the fluoroscopy field, but the device becomes susceptible to premature curing or hardening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure to clinicianVSAvoidsusceptibility to clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the viscous material storage (container within fluoroscopy field) from the delivery conduit (extension tube outside field). This segmentation ensures the viscous material remains in a controlled environment close to the injection site, minimizing exposure time to conditions that could cause premature curing or hardening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The viscous material is prepared and loaded into the container within the fluoroscopy field before delivery begins. This preliminary action ensures the material is ready for immediate injection, reducing the time it spends in the extension tube where premature curing could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a long extension tube is used to deliver viscous material, then the clinician can be positioned outside the fluoroscopy field, but the effort needed to inject the cement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure to clinicianVSAvoideffort to inject cement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An incompressible fluid serves as a mechanical intermediary, transmitting the clinician's manual pressure from outside the fluoroscopy field to the viscous material near the injection site. This fluid column acts as a force transmission medium, reducing the direct mechanical effort required while maintaining pressure feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes hydraulic principles by employing an incompressible fluid to transmit pressure forces. The fluid column in the extension tube and container creates a hydraulic system where pressure applied by the clinician is efficiently transmitted to the viscous material, reducing the effort needed for injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 allows for safe removal of the clinician from the fluoroscopy field, providing visual and mechanical feedback while injecting the material, reducing safety concerns and minimizing the risk of clogging and premature hardening of the viscous material.

Implementation Method 1

pressurizing the incompressible fluid outside the fluoroscopy field to exert pressure on the viscous material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure transmission through incompressible fluid: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS10111697B2Device for delivering viscous material

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

Methods and devices are described for delivering a viscous material to a surgical site in a patient while keeping the clinician outside the fluoroscopy field.