System for mixing and transferring flowable materials

• US 7,278,778 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon Incorporated
• Inventors: Sand, Paul M
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooley; Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US11/651,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 273 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 plurality of bone filler devices receive bone filling material from an apparatus that receives components of the bone filling material in an unmixed condition, mixes the components of the bone filling material, and dispenses the mixed components of the bone filling material through a fitting into each of the plurality of bone filler devices, all while a base supports the apparatus in an upright condition.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a receptacle having a sidewall peripherally surrounding an interior for receiving components of a 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;

base means on the second end region for supporting the first end region in an upright condition and being sized and configured for resisting tipping of the receptacle during use;

mixing element means sized for insertion into the interior of the receptacle through the first end region while the base means 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 means also being sized for withdrawal from the interior of the receptacle through the upright first end region after mixing of the components; and

plunger means sized for insertion, after withdrawal of the mixing element means, 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 means supports the first end region in the upright condition.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the plunger means includes means for purging air in the receptacle during advancement of the plunger means toward the second end region.

3. A system according to claim 1

further including a bone filler device, and

wherein the dispenser outlet includes a fitting for dispensing the mixed components of the bone filling material into the bone filler device.

4. A system according to claim 1

further including a plurality of bone filler devices, and

wherein the dispenser outlet includes a fitting for dispensing the mixed components of the bone filling material into each of the bone filler devices.

5. A system comprising:

a plurality of bone filler devices;

a receptacle for receiving components of a 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, the dispenser outlet including a fitting that mates with each of the plurality of bone filler devices;

base means on the second end region for supporting the first end region in an upright condition and being sized and configured for resisting tipping of the receptacle during use;

mixing element means for mixing the components of the bone filling material within the receptacle and for withdrawal from the receptacle after mixing of the components; and

plunger means for dispensing the mixed components of the bone filling material through the fitting of dispenser outlet into each of the plurality of bone filler devices while the base means supports the first end region in the upright condition.

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the plunger means includes means for purging air in the receptacle during advancement of the plunger means.