Bone cement preparation kit

• US 5,586,821 A
• Filed: 10/10/1995
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Technology Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonitati, John A., Hoag, Stephen H., Hawkins, Michael E., Case, Kirt L.
• Primary Examiner(s): JENKINS, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US08/541,360
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 366/139, 366/602, 366/129, 366/130, 366/189, 366/190, 366/191, 366/255, 366/256, 366/332, 366/333
• US Class Current: 366/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8825 characterised by syringe details A61B17/8822, A61B17/8827 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8827 with filtering, degassing, venting or pressure relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8838 for mixing bone cement or fluid fillers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0064 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/22 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30561 breakable or frangible
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30716 for single use, e.g. having means for preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4685 by means of vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/009 for single use, e.g. having means for preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/20 Mixing of ingredients for bone cement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/565 by introducing liquids in solid material, e.g. to obtain slurries
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5012 adapted to be mounted during use on a standard, base or support
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/70 Mixers specially adapted for working at sub- or super-atmospheric pressure, e.g. combined with de-foaming
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/3202 Hand driven
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/75 : Discharge mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754251 : reciprocating in the mixing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/602 : Amalgam mixer, e.g. dental filling

Abstract

A preassembled collection of disposable mixing apparatus and constituent components needed for the vacuum mixing and preparation of bone cement and packaged as a single disposable kit is disclosed. The kit includes a contoured storage tray, ampules of liquid cement monomer, packets of powder cement copolymer, a small portable vacuum pump, connecting tubing with a vacuum indicator, a mixing cartridge, a cartridge cap and agitator, an assortment of connectable cement nozzles, and a funnel attachment. The kit can be packaged as a single unit for convenient and efficient use in the sterile environment of an operating room. The disposable telescoping mixing cartridge of the kit employs a telescoping mixing cartridge with a vacuum release mechanism.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing bone cement by mixing a plurality of constituent components comprising:

a telecsoping cartridge including a tubular outer cylinder having an open proximal end and a distal end, and a tubular inner cylinder having an open proximal end and a distal end shiftably received within said outer cylinder distal end, said inner cylinder being axially extensible between an extended position, an intermediate position, and a retracted position,

a cap connectable to said outer cylinder proximal end, said cap part including means for connecting said cartridge to a vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within said cartridge when said inner cylinder is in its said extended position,

an end plug, shiftably disposed within said inner cylinder for axial movement within said inner cylinder towards said cap to expel said cement from said cartridge,

and means for releasing vacuum pressure within said cartridge when said inner cylinder is in its said intermediate position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridge includes sealing means for hermetically sealing the shiftable engagement between the facing surfaces of said inner cylinder and said outer cylinder when said inner cylinder is in its said extended position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vacuum release means includes an elongated groove longitudinally defined in said facing surface of said outer cylinder, said sealing means being positioned between the opposed ends of said grooves.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner cylinder has a channel, the outer cylinder includes a key seated within said channel for longitudinal movement along the channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the channel formed in the inner cylinder has a stepped configuration defined by a first and second longitudinal section integrally connected by an intermediate lateral section and a lateral end section integrally connected to said second longitudinal section opposite said intermediate lateral section,

said key seated within said lateral end section when said inner cylinder is in its extended position, said key seated within said intermediate lateral section when said cylinder is in its said intermediate position.

6. A collection of disposable apparatus and materials for manufacturing bone cement by mixing a plurality of constituent components comprising:

constituent components of said bone cement,

a disposable mixing cartridge for mixing said constituent components therein,

a disposable vacuum pump connectable to said cartridge for drawing a vacuum within said cartridge when said liquid and solid constituent components are mixed, and a disposable tray for supporting said liquid and solid constituent components packets, said mixing cartridge, and said vacuum pump to facilitate convenient mixing of cement.

7. The collection of claim 6 and a funnel attachment connectable to said cartridge.

8. The collection of claim 6 and cement nozzles connectable to said mixing cartridge.

9. A collection of disposable apparatus and materials for manufacturing bone cement by mixing a plurality of constituent components comprising:

constituent components of said bone cement,

a disposable mixing cartridge for mixing said constituent components therein, a disposable vacuum pump connectable to said cartridge for drawing a vacuum within said cartridge when said liquid and solid constituent components are mixed and a disposable tray for supporting said liquid and solid constituent components packets, said mixing cartridge, and said vacuum pump to facilitate convenient mixing of cement,

said cartridge includes a tubular outer cylinder having an open proximal end and a distal end, and a tubular inner cylinder having an open proximal end shiftably received within said outer cylinder distal end, said inner cylinder being axially extensible between an extended position, an intermediate position, and a retracted position,

a cap connectable to said outer cylinder proximal end, said cap part including means for connecting said cartridge to a vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within said cartridge when said inner cylinder is in its extended position, an end plug, shiftably disposed within said inner cylinder for axial movement within said inner cylinder towards said end to expel said cement from said cartridge, means for releasing vacuum pressure within said cartridge when said inner cylinder is in its said intermediate position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cartridge includes sealing means for hermetically sealing the shiftable engagement between the facing surfaces of said inner cylinder and said outer cylinder when said inner cylinder is in its said extended position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said vacuum release means includes an elongated groove longitudinally defined in said facing surface of said outer cylinder, said sealing means being positioned between the opposed ends of said grooves.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said outer cylinder has a stepped channel defined therein, said other cylinder includes a key seated within said channel for longitudinal movement along its length.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said stepped channel being defined by a first and second longitudinal section integrally connected by an intermediate lateral section and a lateral end section integrally connected to said second longitudinal section opposite said intermediate lateral section,

said key seated within said lateral end section when said inner cylinder is in its extended position, said key seated within said intermediate lateral section when said cylinder is in its said intermediate position.

14. A kit of non-reusable apparatus and materials for manufacturing bone cement by mixing a plurality of components comprising:

constituent components of said bone cement, a mixing cartridge for mixing said constituent components therein,

a vacuum pump connectable to said cartridge for drawing a vacuum within said cartridge when said liquid and solid constituent components are mixed, and a tray for supporting said liquid and solid constituent components packets, said mixing cartridge, and said vacuum pump to facilitate convenient mixing of cement.

15. The kit of claim 14 and a funnel connectable to said cartridge to facilitate pouring the constituent components into the cartridge for mixing.

16. The kit of claim 14 and nozzles connectable to said mixing cartridge for ejecting the manufactured bone cement after mixing.