Apparatus for mixing and delivering bone cement

Abstract

A device for mixing bone cement material, the device comprising a mixing body having a chamber, and wherein the mixing body has an open end; a lid arranged to be fitted to the open end; means for mixing bone cement material in the chamber, the means for mixing comprising a rod extending through the lid and into the chamber, wherein the rod has a frangible portion; said lid comprising a cap moveable to a first position covering the frangible portion of the rod, and to a second position revealing the frangible portion.

Claims

1. A device for mixing bone cement material, the device comprising: a mixing body having a chamber, and wherein the mixing body has an open end; a lid arranged to be fitted to the open end; means for mixing bone cement material in the chamber, the means for mixing comprising a rod extending through the lid and into the chamber, wherein the rod has a frangible portion; said lid comprising a cap moveable to a first position covering the frangible portion of the rod, and to a second position revealing the frangible portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the mixing body has a second open end, and wherein a means for dispensing cement from the chamber is provided at the second open end.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for dispensing cement is a plunger movable by the application of force through the chamber.

4. The device of any preceding claim wherein the means for mixing the bone cement comprises a paddle portion located in the chamber radially extending from the rod.

5. The device of claim 1, said device further comprising means for securing the cap in the first position.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for securing the cap in the first position is a removable clip.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein said device further comprising: means for positioning the plunger between the first and the second end of the mixing body to define a volume of the chamber; and means for maintaining the position of the plunger so as to maintain the volume of the chamber during mixing.

8. A device for mixing bone cement material, the device comprising: a mixing body having a chamber, and wherein the mixing body has a first end and a second end; a lid arranged to be fitted to the first end; means for mixing bone cement material in the chamber, the means for mixing comprising a rod extending through the lid and into the chamber; means for dispensing bone cement material from said mixing body attached to a second end of the mixing body, wherein the means for dispensing the bone cement material is a plunger movable by the application of force through the chamber, said plunger provided to set an adjustable volume in the chamber prior to mixing; said device further comprising: means for positioning the plunger between the first and the second end of the mixing body to define a volume of the chamber; and means for maintaining the position of the plunger so as to maintain the volume of the chamber during mixing, wherein said lid comprising a cap moveable to a first position covering the frangible portion of the rod, and to a second position revealing the frangible portion.

9. The device of claim 7 or 8, wherein the means for positioning the plunger and means for maintaining the position of the plunger comprises: a screw thread arranged on an outer surface of the plunger; and a nut having a screw thread to be received by the screw thread arranged on the outer surface of the plunger, the nut further having a recess having a screw thread to be received by a screw thread located at the second end of the mixing body.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the lid comprises: an inner cap and an outer cap fitted over the inner cap, and wherein the outer cap is movable relative to the inner cap such that, when the outer cap is moved away from the inner cap to the first position, the outer cap covers the frangible portion; and wherein, when the outer cap is moved to the second portion to fit over the inner cap, the frangible portion of the rod is revealed.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer cap has a protrusion that extends through the chamber to engage with the paddle portion when the outer cap is in the second position.

12. A method of mixing bone cement material, said method having the steps of: providing bone cement components in a mixing chamber of a mixing device; fitting a lid to an open end of the mixing chamber to close the chamber; mixing bone cement material using a rod extending through the lid and into the chamber of the mixing device, wherein the rod has a frangible portion; said method characterised by positioning the lid in a first position so as to reinforce the frangible portion from breakage during mixing; positioning the lid in a second position so as to reveal the frangible portion; and snapping the rod at the frangible portion, wherein said lid comprising a cap moveable to a first position covering the frangible portion of the rod, and to a second position revealing the frangible portion.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the steps of positioning the lid to reinforce the frangible portion comprises: providing an outer cap and an inner cap on the lid; moving an outer cap away from an inner cap to a first position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the steps of positioning the lid to reveal the frangible portion comprises: providing an outer cap and an inner cap on the lid; moving an outer cap to cover the inner cap to a second position.

15. The method of any of claims 12-14, wherein the method further comprises: positioning a plunger between a first and a second end of a mixing body of the mixing device; and maintaining the position of the plunger so as to maintain the volume of the chamber during mixing.

16. A method of mixing bone cement material, said method having the steps of: setting a volume of a chamber of a mixing device with a plunger, said plunger movable through the chamber with the application of force between a first and a second end of the mixing device; maintaining the position of the plunger so as to maintain the volume of the chamber during mixing; mixing the bone cement material in the chamber of the mixing device, wherein a lid is coupled to said first end of said mixing device, said lid comprising a cap moveable to a first position covering the frangible portion of the rod, and to a second position revealing the frangible portion.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of setting the volume and maintaining the set volume comprises: providing a screw thread arranged on an outer surface of the plunger; and providing a nut having a screw thread to be received by the screw thread arranged on the outer surface of the plunger, the nut further having a recess having a screw thread to be received by a screw thread located at the second end of the mixing body; and screwing said nut onto the second end of the mixing body.

18. The method of claim 12 or 16, wherein the method further comprises: dispensing bone cement from the chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a bone cement mixing and dispensing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of the bone cement mixing and dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 prior to delivery of the material to be mixed.

(3) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged portion of the bone cement mixing and dispensing device shown in FIG. 1, in use, prior to delivery of the material to be mixed.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the bone cement mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 pre-mixing or during the mixing phase.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the bone cement mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 prior the mixing phase.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a bone cement mixing and dispensing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a cap in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7a shows a cross-sectional view of a cap in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 7b shows a cross-sectional view of the cap as shown in FIG. 6a.

(10) FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the cap shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(11) FIG. 9 shows a cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 10 shows the bone cement mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 with a nozzle attached thereto.

(13) FIG. 11 shows the bone cement mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 during the dispensing phase.

(14) FIG. 11a shows an alternative embodiment of the bone cement mixing and dispensing device of FIG. 1 during the dispensing phase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) FIG. 1 shows a complete assembly of a bone cement mixing and delivery device 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bone cement and delivery device 1 can be used to mix and deliver bone cement. As can be seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a mixing/dispensing body 2 having a chamber 23 for receiving bone cement material (not shown). The mixing/dispensing body 2 has a first open end 21 and a second open end 22. The mixing/dispensing body 2 is preferably cylindrical, and more preferably circular cylindrical. However, the mixing/dispensing body 2 may take other forms.

(16) As shown in FIG. 1, there may also be provided an inner cap 411 and an outer cap 41 (described in more detail below) located at, and releasably fastened to, the first open end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2.

(17) Also, there may be provided a plunger 3 having a first end 31 and a second end 32, as shown in FIG. 1. The first end 31 of the plunger 3 may include a piston 35 that can be introduced into the mixing/dispensing body 2 at the second open end 22. The piston 35 is preferably flush with an inner surface of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The plunger 3 may have a handle or knob on the second end 32 to assist the user in using the plunger 3. The plunger 3 is preferably cylindrical, and more preferably circular cylindrical. However, the plunger 3 may take other forms.

(18) As shown in FIG. 1, there may also be provided a rod 42 to assist in mixing the bone cement material. The rod 42 may movably extend through openings (not shown) of the inner cap 411 and outer cap 41. The rod 42 has a first end 43 and a second end 44. At the second end 44 of the rod 42, in the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, is provided a mashing or paddle portion 44 to assist in mixing the bone cement material. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the rod is between 2-5 mm, and is preferably 4 mm in diameter.

(19) A base 34 may be provided, as shown in FIG. 1. The base 34 may be adapted to receive the second end 32 of the plunger 3 to stabilise the mixing/dispensing device 1 during a mixing or filling phase.

(20) As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first end 31 of the plunger 3 can be received by the second open end 22 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. In this arrangement, the piston 35 is, therefore, introduced into the mixing/dispensing body 2 and is flush with an inner surface of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The plunger 3 has, on its outer surface, a screw thread extending from the first end 31 to the second end 32. A nut 33 is located on the screw thread of the plunger 3. The nut 33 includes a recess 331 having a screw thread to fasten to a screw thread located on the outer surface of the second end 22 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. In this arrangement, the piston 35 can be introduced into the second open end 22 of the mixing/dispensing body 2 and can be moved, in a longitudinal direction (shown by the arrow in FIG. 3), through the mixing/dispensing body 2 to provide a specific volume required in a mixing/dispensing chamber 23. The piston 35 can then be held in place by screwing the nut 33 on to the screw thread located on the outer surface of the second end 22 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. This then provides a volume within the mixing/dispensing chamber 23. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the chamber can be between 0-15 cc.

(21) Once the volume has been set by the user with the technique discussed above, bone cement material is introduced into the first open end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2, e.g. through a funnel (not shown).

(22) Either before or after the bone cement material has been introduced into the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, the second end 32 of the plunger may be positioned, and held, in a recess of a base 34. The base 34 assists in keeping the bone cement mixing and delivery device 1 still during the filling and/or mixing phase.

(23) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lid 4 is now described. After the bone cement material has been introduced into the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, the lid 4 is fitted over the first open end of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The lid has an outer cap 41 and an inner cap 411. The inner cap 411 may have a recess having a screw thread thereon which can mate with a screw thread located on the outer surface of the first open end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The outer cap 41 can fit over the inner cap 411 and is axially movable relative to the inner cap 411. The lid 4 can be attached to the mixing/dispensing body 2 by mating the screw thread of the inner cap 411 with a screw thread located on the outer surface of the first end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. Other means could be provided to fasten the lid to the chamber.

(24) The outer cap 41 and the inner cap 411 include an opening (not shown) through which a rod 42 moveably extends. At the second end of the rod 42, in the chamber, is provided a mashing or paddle portion 44 to assist in mixing the bone cement material in the mixing/dispensing chamber 23. The rod 42 extends from the paddle portion 44 and through the opening of the outer cap 41 and inner cap 411 to a first end 43. The mashing or paddle portion 44 could be radially extending arms (not shown) from the rod 42 or a masher paddle, or a flat-type paddle portion. Other types of mashing or paddle portions could be used.

(25) In use, the outer cap 41 is lifted a distance away from the inner cap 411 and the first end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. In a preferred embodiment, the outer cap 41 is lifted away by a distance of between 2-3 mm. In order to maintain the distance between the outer cap 41 and the inner cap 411, a clip 50 may be attached around the circumference of the inner cap 411 and/or the outer cap 41. The clip 50 therefore holds the outer cap 41 in place during the mixing phase. The outer cap 41 may also include a reinforcing portion 46 that protrudes from the hole in which the rod 42 extends through. The reinforcing portion 46 provides support to the rod 42 during the mixing phase so that the rod 42 does not snap or break.

(26) The mixing phase is achieved by a user axially and/or rotatably moving the rod 42 so that the paddle portion 44 mixes the bone cement material in the mixing/dispensing chamber 23. The first end 43 of the rod 42 may be provided with a handle or knob 43 to assist the user in mixing the bone cement material.

(27) As is shown in FIG. 5, when the clip 50 is removed from the outer cap 41 and/or inner cap 411, the outer cap 41 is axially moveable relative to the inner cap 411 and the mixing/dispensing body 2.

(28) FIG. 6 shows a complete assembly of a mixing device 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The mixing device 1 of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 1 except that a vacuum port 400 may be included in the outer cap 41 and inner cap 411 so as to be in communication with the chamber 23. A vacuum pump (not shown) may then be received by the vacuum port 400 so as to create a vacuum in the chamber 23.

(29) FIGS. 7, 7a and 7b show the inner cap 411, outer cap 41 and rod 42 in more detail. As can be seen in these figures, the inner cap 411 has a side wall 61 extending from an upper wall 63. On the inner surface of the side wall 61, there is provided a screw thread to engage and mate with a screw thread located on the outer surface of the first end 21 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The upper wall 63 of the inner cap 411 also may include a delivery port 62 extending therefrom towards the outer cap 41 and a circumferential wall 65 located around the delivery port 62 providing a gap 66 therebetween.

(30) The outer cap 41 has a side wall 71 to fit over the side wall 61 of the inner cap 411. The outer cap 41 has an upper wall 73 and a circumferential wall 74 extending therefrom so as to fit over the delivery port 62 and circumferential wall 65 of the inner cap 411. The circumferential wall 74 of the outer cap 41 is closed by an upper surface 77. A protrusion 72 extends from the upper surface 77 towards the delivery port 62 of the inner cap 411 so that the protrusion 72 can be introduced into the delivery port 62. A circumferential wall 75 also extends from the upper surface 77 towards the gap 66 provided between the circumferential wall 65 and the delivery port 62 of the inner cap 411. The circumferential wall 65 includes, on its surface, a luer thread for connection to a luer fitting during the delivery phase.

(31) As shown in FIG. 7, the rod 42 extends through holes 64 and 80 of the inner cap 411 and outer cap 41 respectively. The rod includes a weakened or snap portion 80, which can be formed for example by a slight indent or notch in the material of the rod 42. The outer cap 41 also includes a reinforcing portion 46 which extends from the upper surface 73 of the outer cap 41.

(32) A method of using the outer cap 41 during and after mixing is now described with reference to FIGS. 7, 7a and 7b.

(33) During mixing, the outer cap 41 is raised from the inner cap 411 so as to cover the snap portion 80. The outer cap 41 may then be held in position by a clip 50 (as shown in FIG. 4). The rod 42 can then be moved vertically and/or rotatably by the user to mix the bone cement material in the mixing/dispensing chamber 23 (as shown in FIG. 1). The snap portion is protected against breakage by the outer cap 41. Other means for holding the outer cap 41 in position may also be used.

(34) After the mixing phase, the outer cap 41 is then moved down toward/over the inner cap 411. The protrusion 72 of the outer cap 41 naturally also moves down and engages the paddle portion 44 of the rod 42 and pushes this to the side of the mixing/dispensing chamber 23 to ensure that the paddle portion 44 is not occluding the delivery port 62. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion 72 is in the form of a spike. The paddle portion 44 may be shaped so as to be engaged by the protrusion 72 to assist in moving the paddle portion 44 to the side of the mixing/dispensing chamber 23.

(35) As can be seen in FIG. 7b, the paddle portion 44 of the rod 42 is moved to the side of the mixing/dispensing chamber 23 such that the paddle portion 44 does not occlude the delivery port 62.

(36) FIG. 8 shows the outer cap 41 when it is moved down towards, and is fitted over, the inner cap 411. The reinforcing portion 46 has a gap G through which the snap portion 80 is revealed. The user can then snap the rod 42 at the snap portion 80 to remove a portion of the rod 42. The paddle portion 44 then remains in hole 64 of the inner cap 411. Due to the paddle portion 44 of rod 42 remaining in hole 64 of the inner cap 411, the paddle portion 44 blocks hole 64 of the inner cap 411 to maintain a closed chamber (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

(37) FIG. 9 shows that the outer cap 41 can be removed from the inner cap 411 entirely, after the rod 42 has been snapped. As can be seen in this figure, paddle portion 44 remains in hole 64 of the inner cap 411. The outer cap 41 is removed to reveal the delivery port 62.

(38) FIG. 10 shows that a luer fitting or nozzle 100 can then be connected to the luer thread located on the surface of the circumferential wall 65 of the inner cap 411. The nozzle 100 is then in fluid communication with the mixing/dispensing chamber 23. As mentioned above, paddle portion 44 remains in hole 64 of the inner cap 411.

(39) FIGS. 11 and 11a show the mixing/dispensing device 1 during the dispensing phase. Once the outer cap 41 has been removed and a nozzle 100 connected so as to be in fluid communication with the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, the bone cement is ready to be delivered to a target site of a patient.

(40) FIG. 11 shows the mixing/dispensing device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. When the bone cement is ready to be deployed from the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, the user can unscrew the nut 33 from the second end 22 of the mixing/dispensing body 2. The nut 33 can be moved along the screw thread provided on the plunger 3. After unscrewing the nut 33, the plunger 3 can then be axially moved so as to axially move the piston 35. The piston 35 then delivers bone cement through the delivery port 62 and, for example, through a nozzle 100 to the target site.

(41) FIG. 11a shows the mixing/dispensing device 1 in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. When the bone cement is ready to be deployed from the mixing/dispensing chamber 23, the user can rotate the second end 32 of the plunger 3. The second end 32 of the plunger 3 can have a handle or knob 321 attached thereto to assist the user in rotating the plunger 3 through the screw thread provided on the nut 33 to axially move the piston 35. This is particularly useful for viscous bone cement material. Rotating the plunger 3 through the screw thread provided on the nut 33 causes the bone cement to be deployed through the delivery port 62 and, for example, through a nozzle 100 attached thereto.

(42) Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosure which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appended claims.