The invention provides a system for the preshearing based control of the flow and deformation behavior, i.e., the setting kinetics, and the time dependent shear viscosity, elasticity of aqueous cementitious suspensions that can be used for bone repair and regeneration. The dynamic cement microstructure is tailored to the demands of the surgical tasks (faster/slower setting) or additive manufacturing tasks (lower/higher viscosity) by application of various preshearing conditions. The relationships between the preshearing and pressurization conditions and the setting kinetics and the time dependent changes in elasticity and viscosity are complex and characterization of viscoelastic properties using advanced rheological characterization techniques including small-amplitude oscillatory and steady torsional rheometry is needed a priori to enable such tailoring. The preshearing system is intended to give control on the injectability and setting time of any calcium phosphate cement formulation to the surgeon during an orthopedic surgery where a batch of bone cement is processed. Other possible utilizations of the system include controlling the setting kinetics, shear viscosity and facilitating the resultant flow stability of cementitious ceramic suspensions processed in direct ink writing assemblies for additive manufacturing of cement constructs, in injection systems for restoration and fracking.

One aspect relates to a device for producing a bone cement paste from a monomer liquid and a cement powder and for delivering the bone cement paste, the device having a cartridge with a cylindrical interior, the interior of the cartridge being closed at the front side apart from a delivery opening for discharging the bone cement paste from the interior. A delivery plunger is arranged in the interior of the cartridge and mounted so as to be pushable in the direction of the delivery opening. The cement powder is arranged in the interior of the cartridge between the delivery opening and the delivery plunger. A closure closes the delivery opening and is mounted so as to be movable relative to the delivery opening. A line element is arranged at the front side of the delivery opening and includes a closure receptacle for receiving at least part of the closure. The closure is pushable into the closure receptacle by pressure on the bone cement paste such that the delivery opening is opened, when the closure has been pushed into the closure receptacle, the line element provides a free line cross-section through which the bone cement paste is pushable out through the delivery opening and out of the device.

It is disclosed a method of mixing a liquid composition, wherein said liquid composition comprises microparticles dispersed in an aqueous liquid carrier and wherein said liquid composition is contained in a receptacle having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: a first premixing step in which the receptacle is oscillated about said longitudinal axis clockwise and counter-clockwise from a first reference point through a first angle of rotation for a first period of time and at a first angular velocity; a second premixing step in which the receptacle is oscillated about said longitudinal axis clockwise and counter-clockwise from a second reference point through a second angle of rotation for a second period of time and at a second angular velocity; and wherein said first angle of rotation is smaller than said second angle of rotation, and said first period of time is shorter than said second period of time. Also disclosed is a device for mixing a liquid composition.

The invention relates to a rotor shaft for a dynamic mixer, in particular a dental dynamic mixer, for mixing low to high viscous components, comprising a mixing area and a connection geometry adjoining the mixing area, the mixing area comprising a central shaft having a distal end and a proximal end abutting the connection geometry, and having at least one worm thread, in particular the rotor shaft has at least two mixing sections, a first mixing section comprising at least two mixing blades radially oriented on the surface of the central shaft and a second mixing section comprising at least one worm thread having spirally running thread flanks, the spirally running thread flanks peripherally entwining the surface of the central shaft. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dynamic mixer, in particular a dental dynamic mixer, comprising the rotor shaft, as well as its use for mixing low to high viscous components.

The invention provides a system for the preshearing based control of the flow and deformation behavior, i.e., the setting kinetics, and the time dependent shear viscosity, elasticity of aqueous cementitious suspensions that can be used for bone repair and regeneration. The dynamic cement microstructure is tailored to the demands of the surgical tasks (faster/slower setting) or additive manufacturing tasks (lower/higher viscosity) by application of various preshearing conditions. Since the relationships between the preshearing and pressurization conditions and the setting kinetics and the time dependent changes in elasticity and viscosity are complex, a priori characterization of viscoelastic properties using the advanced rheological characterization technique of small-amplitude oscillatory rheometry is needed to enable such tailoring. The preshearing system is intended to give control on the injectability and setting time of any calcium phosphate cement formulation to the surgeon during an orthopedic surgery where a batch of bone cement is processed. Other possible utilizations of the system include controlling the setting kinetics, shear viscosity and facilitating the resultant flow stability of cementitious ceramic suspensions processed in direct ink writing assemblies for additive manufacturing of cement constructs, in injection systems for oil wells, restoration and fracking.

A mixing system is disclosed in which the system comprises a source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material, a liquid source, and a vacuum source, at least one of the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source being in communication with the vacuum source. A valve assembly also forms part of the system, the valve assembly having a valve movable between a first position in which a first fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the vacuum, and a second position in which a second fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source, wherein, in the second position, the valve seals off the first fluid passageway, the vacuum source being adapted to generate a negative-pressure environment, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the valve assembly while the valve is in the first position. Methods of utilizing the aforementioned system are also disclosed.

A nozzle tip assembly comprises a nozzle housing and a break-up insert. The nozzle assembly is adapted for receiving multiple pre-cursor fluids from multiple lumen. The pre-cursor fluids are kept substantially separate and forced around the break-up insert into a channel formed between the insert and the nozzle housing. Fluid is forced into fluted channels on a distal end of the break-up insert into a swirl chamber where mixing occurs prior to being expelled through an exit orifice in the nozzle housing.

A specimen container that includes a first cylindrical housing section having a first threaded end, a second threaded end, and a body section formed therebetween, wherein a fill line is placed at a predetermined location on the body section; a threaded winged section that is adapted to be attached to the second threaded end of the first cylindrical housing section, wherein the threaded winged section includes two gripping wings formed on opposite sides of the threaded winged section; a second cylindrical housing section having a first threaded end, a second threaded end, and a body section formed therebetween, wherein two gripping wings are formed on opposite sides of the second cylindrical housing section and are integral therewith; a threaded connector ring that is adapted to connect the first cylindrical housing section to the second cylindrical housing section; and at least one syringe plunger adapted for insertion into the first cylindrical housing section or the second cylindrical housing section.

One aspect relates to a device for producing a bone cement paste from a monomer liquid and a cement powder as parent components of the bone cement paste and for delivering the mixed bone cement paste. The device has a cartridge with a cylindrical interior. The interior of the cartridge is closed at a front side apart from a delivery opening for discharging the bone cement paste. In the interior of the cartridge a delivery plunger is arranged which is pushable in the direction of the delivery opening. The cement powder is arranged in the interior of the cartridge between the delivery opening and the delivery plunger. A hollow cylinder is arranged at a front side of the delivery plunger facing the delivery opening. The hollow cylinder is open at its front face facing the delivery opening and extends from the front side of the delivery plunger at least 3 mm into the interior of the cartridge.

A combination plunger, a mixing device and a mixing syringe including the same are provided. The mixing syringe includes concentric outer and inner barrels that form an outer chamber, the inner barrel having an inner chamber. The combination plunger includes a mixing plunger and a delivery plunger and a biasing means. The mixing plunger is slidably located in the outer chamber and translated by coordinated depression of the delivery plunger to transfer a first substance from the outer chamber to mix with a second substance in the inner chamber. After the mixing stage is complete, the delivery plunger is disengaged from the mixing plunger and permitted, such as by rotation, to be further depressed in the axial direction to deliver fluid contents of the mixing syringe to a recipient. The mixing syringe needle is then retracted as result of engagement by the delivery plunger and activation of the biasing means.