Temperature control system

• US 9,918,767 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• 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): CRENSHAW, HENRY T
• Application Number:
  US11/561,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20140148866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,137 Days
• Field of Search: 236 46 R, 606 92, 606 93, 606 94
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8836 for heating, cooling or curing of bone cement or fluid fillers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/883 Means for indicating hardening of bone cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4653 using cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/469 electrical

Abstract

A method of regulating a setting time of a bone filler material, the method comprising: (a) combining at least two filler material components to form a biocompatible mixture; (b) choosing a setting time for the mixture; and (c) regulating a temperature of the mixture to influence reaction kinetics so that the mixture does not set before the chosen setting time.

Claims

1. Apparatus for regulating setting time of a bone filler material mixture in a bone filler material injection system, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a reservoir in the bone filler material injection system;

(b) a cooling mechanism adapted to cool a bone filler material mixture in the reservoir as a portion of the mixture is injected into a patient; and

(c) control circuitry adapted to output a control signal to the cooling mechanism so that the mixture does not set before a minimum setting time.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is adapted to receive a data input pertaining to a minimum setting time.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

(d) a data input device calibrated so that a user can select a minimum setting time.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising wherein the data input device is calibrated with a continuous time scale.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising wherein the data input device is calibrated in a scale having discrete steps of time.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

(d) a data input device adapted for input of data pertaining to the mixture.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data pertains to a ratio of components of the mixture.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data pertains to a volume of the mixture.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data pertains a chemical composition of the mixture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data pertains to physical characteristics of at least one component of the mixture.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

(d) a sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the mixture and transmit data pertaining to the temperature to the controller.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control circuitry modifies the control signal responsive to the data pertaining to the temperature.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

(d) a sensor adapted to detect a viscosity of the mixture and transmit data pertaining to the viscosity to the controller.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control circuitry modifies the control signal responsive to the data pertaining to the viscosity.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, provided as a sterile apparatus.

16. Apparatus for regulating setting time of a bone filler material in a bone filler material injection system, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a reservoir in the bone filler material injection system coupled to an injection cannula;

(b) a cooling mechanism adapted to cool a bone filler material in the reservoir as a portion of the bone filler material is forced through the injection cannula; and

(c) control circuitry adapted to output a control signal to the cooling mechanism so that the bone filler material does not set before a minimum setting time.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a thermoelectric cooling mechanism.

18. Apparatus for regulating setting time of a bone filler material in a bone filler material injection system, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a reservoir in the bone filler material injection system, the reservoir having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to a hydraulic actuator;

(b) a cooling mechanism adapted to cool a bone filler material in the reservoir; and

(c) control circuitry adapted to output a control signal to the cooling mechanism so that the bone filler material does not set before a minimum setting time.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising an injection cannula coupled to the second end of the reservoir.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tube extending between the hydraulic actuator and the first end of the reservoir and having hydraulic fluid disposed therein for exerting pressure on the bone filler material.