Methods for mixing and transferring flowable materials

• US 7,160,020 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sand, Paul M
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooley; Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US11/409,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 260 Days
• Field of Search: 366/139, 366/189, 366/142, 366242-252, 366255-256, 366/267, 366/288, 366/333, 248/94
• US Class Current: 366/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8827 with filtering, degassing, venting or pressure relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0066 with additional sealing means, e.g. O-ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0083 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3009 Transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0091 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/20 Mixing of ingredients for bone cement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/054 Deformable stirrers, e.g. deformed by a centrifugal force applied during operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/11451 forming open frameworks or cages
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/562 the mixer or mixing elements being collapsible, i.e. when discharging the products

Abstract

A method mixes and transfers a bone filling material. The method makes use of a receptacle for receiving components in an unmixed condition. A mixing element can be inserted into the receptacle to mix the components. An actuator having a drive member and a driven member is removably coupled to the mixing element.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a device for mixing and dispensing a bone filling material comprising a receptacle having a sidewall peripherally surrounding an interior for receiving components of the bone filling material in an unmixed condition, the receptacle including a first end region and a second end region oppositely spaced from the first end region;

a dispenser outlet formed on the sidewall adjacent the second end region and communicating with the interior of the receptacle;

a base on the second end-region to hold support the first end region in an upright condition and being sized and configured to resist tipping of the receptacle during use;

providing a mixing element sized to be inserted into the interior of the receptacle through the first end region while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, to mix the components of the bone filling material within the interior of the receptacle, the mixing element also being sized to be withdrawn from the interior of the receptacle through the upright first end region after mixing of the components;

providing a plunger sized to be inserted, after withdrawal of the mixing element, into the interior of the receptacle through the first end region for advancement through the interior toward the second end region, to dispense the mixed components of the bone filling material through the dispenser outlet while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition;

placing components of the bone filling material in an unmixed condition into the interior;

while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, inserting the mixing element into the interior of the receptacle through the first end region,

while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, manipulating the mixing element to mix the components of the bone filling material within the interior of the receptacle;

after mixing of the components, and while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, withdrawing the mixing element from the interior of the receptacle through the upright first end region;

withdrawing the mixing element from the interior of the receptacle, and while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, inserting the plunger into the interior; and

while the base supports the first end region in the upright condition, advancing the plunger through the interior toward the second end region to dispense the mixed components of the bone filling material through the dispenser outlet.