Multi-chamber integrated mixing and delivery system
Systems and methods are provided for the mixing of materials to form a homogenous mixture and for delivering the mixture to a target site. In one embodiment a vial containing a liquid monomer is detachably engaged with a mixing chamber. The liquid monomer flows into the mixing chamber and combines with a powder to form a flowable composition such as bone cement. The bone cement may then be injected from the device to a target location.
1 . A system for mixing a homogenous material in an air tight manner, the system comprising:
a first chamber containing a first component of the material; and
a second chamber containing a second component of the material, wherein the second chamber is configured to receive the first chamber in a sealed engagement and further wherein the chambers are respectively configured whereby relative axial movement between the two chambers allows contact between the first and second components and complete mixing of the components to form the homogenous material without any other additional movement of either chamber.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber is a vial containing a liquid and the second chamber contains a solid.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein contact between and mixing of the two components occurs within the second chamber.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the material is a bone cement, the first component is a liquid monomer and the second component is a polymer powder.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber comprises an opening sealed by a breachable septum and wherein the second chamber comprises a bushing comprising a protrusion adapted to perforate the breachable septum upon axial movement.
6 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a third chamber in fluid engagement with the second chamber and a plunger slidably engagable within the third chamber, wherein axial movement of the first chamber in a first direction causes the homogenous mixture to transfer into the third chamber and seal the fluid engagement with the second chamber.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein the third chamber comprises an exit port wherein axial movement of the plunger in a second direction different than the first direction causes the homogenous material to exit through the port.
8 . The system of claim 5 wherein said bushing is adapted to prevent fluid in the second chamber from backflowing into the first chamber when said first chamber is in sealed engagement with the second chamber.
9 . A high pressure bone cement injection and mixing system comprising:
a mixing chamber for containing a component of a bone cement to be mixed with a liquid activator, said mixing chamber having a proximal end adapted to sealingly engage with a vial such that the liquid activator from the vial may flow into said mixing chamber without releasing fumes, said mixing chamber further comprising a transfer port at a distal end;
an injection chamber for receiving the bone cement to be injected to a target site, said injection chamber being fluidly engaged with said mixing chamber and comprising an egress port for the bone cement to be ejected; and
a column slidably engaged within said injection chamber, said column having an inserted position for sealing the transfer port during mixing of the bone cement and a retracted position to provide volume for receiving said mixed bone cement.
10 . The high pressure bone cement injection and mixing system further comprising a vial having a neck that may sealingly engage with said proximal end of said mixing chamber.
11 . A method of preparing a homogenous material in an airtight manner, the method comprising:
providing a first chamber containing a first component of the material;
providing a second chamber containing a second component of the material and configured to receive the material from the first chamber;
engaging the first and second chambers wherein their respective components are sealed from each other; and
transferring the first component to the second chamber to form the homogenous material.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first chamber comprises an opening sealed by a breachable septum and wherein the second chamber comprises a protrusion for perforating the breachable septum upon the relative movement between the chambers.
13 . The method of 11 further comprising transferring the homogenous material to a third chamber and sealing the third chamber from the first and second chambers.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising dispensing the homogenous material from the third chamber.
15 . The method of claim 11 , comprising translating the first chamber with respect to the second chamber to penetrate said first chamber.
16 . The method of claim 11 wherein the material is a bone cement, the first component is a liquid monomer and the second component is a polymer powder.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the relative movement further comprises translating the first chamber in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction wherein the first component is transferred to the second chamber.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising connecting a flexible tubing to said third chamber.
19 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first chamber is a vial containing a liquid and the second chamber contains a solid.
20 . A kit for preparing bone cement from a liquid monomer and a solid polymer, the kit comprising:
the system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber contains the liquid monomer and the second chamber contains the solid polymer; and
instructions for sealably engaging the first chamber with the second chamber and for relatively moving the chambers relative to each other to mix the liquid monomer with the solid polymer within the second chamber.