Mixing apparatus having central and planetary mixing elements

• US 9,259,696 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Globerman, Oren, Beyar, Mordechay
• Primary Examiner(s): COOLEY, CHARLES E
• Application Number:
  US13/571,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20120307586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 366 64- 67, 366 96- 98, 366/139, 366/288, 366241-252, 366/272, 366309-313
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8833 Osteosynthesis tools specially adapted for handling bone cement or fluid fillers; Means for supplying bone cement or fluid fillers to introducing tools, e.g. cartridge handling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4685 by means of vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4693 hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/20 Mixing of ingredients for bone cement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/116 Stirrers shaped as cylinders, balls or rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2322 with parallel axes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/2324 planetary
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/95 with stirrers having planetary motion, i.e. rotating about their own axis and about a sun axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/951 with at least one stirrer mounted on the sun axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5014 movable by human force, e.g. kitchen or table devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/123 using scrapers for cleaning mixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/145 Washing or cleaning mixers not provided for in other groups in this subclass; Inhibiting build-up of material on machine parts using other means
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/323 for vertical stirrer shafts B01F35/324 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/75425 using pistons or plungers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754251 reciprocating in the mixing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86035 : Combined with fluid receiver

Abstract

A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.

Claims

1. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well;

c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear; and

d) a central mixing element positioned substantially at a center of the mixing well;

wherein the planetary and central mixing elements are spaced apart such that as the planetary mixing element revolves around the central mixing element, a viscous fluid having a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/seconds is mixed via shear forces generated in a first space between an outer surface of the planetary mixing element and an outer surface of the central mixing element;

wherein the central and planetary mixing elements are substantially cylindrical shaped.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to mix a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second is achieved within 90 seconds of an onset of mixing.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

e) a cover engage able by the mixing well and adapted for closure thereof.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover includes a locking ring.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted for manual operation.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central mixing element rotates about its own axis.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element rotate in opposite directions.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of at least one of the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element are roughened so as to increase a shear force applied to the mixture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element is 1-5 mm.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the planetary mixing element is spaced apart from an inner lateral surface of the mixing well such that mixing via shear force occurs in a second space between the outer surface of the planetary mixing element and the inner lateral surface.

12. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well;

c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear; and

d) a central mixing element positioned substantially at a center of the mixing well;

wherein the planetary and central mixing elements are spaced apart such that as the planetary mixing element revolves around the central mixing element, a viscous fluid having a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/seconds is mixed via shear forces generated in a first space between an outer surface of the planetary mixing element and an outer surface of the central mixing element;

wherein an outer surface of at least one of the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element includes a plurality of vertical slits that increase a shear force applied to the mixture.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of vertical slits extend longitudinally along a full height of the mixing elements.

14. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well;

c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear; and

d) a central mixing element positioned substantially at a center of the mixing well;

wherein the planetary mixing element revolves around the central mixing element without contacting an inner lateral surface of the mixing well, the mixing elements being positioned so that a shear force is applied to the mixture in a space between a lateral surface of the planetary mixing element and the inner lateral surface of the mixing well.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a first distance between the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element is 1-5 mm and a second distance between the planetary mixing element and the inner lateral surface of the mixing well is 1-5 mm.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the central and planetary mixing elements are substantially cylindrical shaped.

17. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism is coupled to a handle configured to be manually rotated by a user to drive the mixing elements.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mixing apparatus includes first and second planetary mixing elements.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted for manual operation.

20. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the central mixing element rotates about its own axis.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element rotate in opposite directions.

22. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well;

c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear; and

d) a central mixing element positioned substantially at a center of the mixing well;

wherein the planetary mixing element revolves around the central mixing element and an outer surface of at least one of the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element is roughened so as to increase a shear force applied to the mixture.