Importance

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Abstract

Methods of mixing delivering biocompatible cement, paste, putty, or gel for bone and cartilage repair are described in this invention. Powder-like solid materials are loaded into a first syringe. Liquids are loaded into one or multiple syringes. The liquids are injected into the first syringe containing the solid materials. To force the liquids through the solid, prevent bubble formation and provide intimate intermixing, the liquids are injected in the very proximity of the plunger end of the syringe containing the solid materials. The first syringe is preferably held vertical with the tip facing up so as to avoid bubble formation that in turn could cause back-pressure build-up and plug the first syringe during injection. The described methods of mixing the liquids with the solids allows to form a rheological paste, cement, putty, or gel in the first syringe. As injection into the human or animal body proceeds, the paste then flows without complications often caused by entrapped bubbles or improper/heterogeneous mixing. The preparation and injection processes can be conducted at temperatures that do not damage live tissue or denature proteins. The paste, cement, putty, or gel can be injected into bone through the cannula by hand or with a pressurizing system. The method reduces the amount of time needed to prepare the paste and load it into the syringe and provides a device that is easily prepared for injection.

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First Claim