Abstract: A bone cement mixing apparatus comprises a cylindrical syringe body which functions as a mixing chamber, a mixing element rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber and a drive for causing rotation of the mixing element. The drive includes a handle which is axially movable relative to the mixing chamber and a gear mechanism which couples the handle of the mixing element and translates linear handle motion into rotary mixing element motion. The drive is supported by a chamber lid which engages the syringe body and the lid and drive may be detachable from the syringe body and from the mixing element thereby allowing the lid assembly and drive to be reused.

Abstract: A low vacuum wound drainage system comprising a high vacuum bottle having an on/off switch to allow/prevent release of the vacuum from the bottle, and a connector for connection of a wound drainage line such that a vacuum path is provided between the bottle and the wound drainage line when the on/off switch is in the on position. The wound drainage line is adapted to be detachably connected to the vacuum bottle via the connector to apply suction at a patient end of the line and includes a regulating valve incorporated in the detachable wound drainage line, the valve acting to continuously regulate the vacuum in the line, when the line is attached to the bottle, to provide a reduced vacuum at the patient end of the line. Also a wound drainage line including a regulating valve for use with a high vacuum bottle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing apparatus comprises a cylindrical syringe body which functions as a mixing chamber, a mixing element rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber and a drive for causing rotation of the mixing element. The drive includes a handle which is axially movable relative to the mixing chamber and a gear mechanism which couples the handle to the mixing element and translates linear handle motion into rotary mixing element motion. The drive is supported by a chamber lid which engages the syringe body and the lid and drive may be detachable from the syringe body and from the mixing element thereby allowing the lid assembly and drive to be reused.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bone cement mixing device comprising a mixing bowl (1) and a lid (3), said lid (3) having a handle (4) extending outwardly therefrom. A mixing paddle (7) comprising a shaft (8) and vanes (9) extending outwardly therefrom extends into the bowl (1) from the lid (3) and is anchored in a groove (10) running around the base (2) of the bowl. A step-up gear mechanism (5, 11) is provided between the paddle (7) and the lid (3) such that, as the handle (4) is rotated the lid (3) rotates, causing the paddle (7) to rotate around the bowl (1). The drive wheel (5) of the gear mechanism is also caused to rotate and drives the driven wheel (11) which causes the shaft (8) of the paddle (7) to rotate about its own axis as the paddle (7) moves around the bowl (1).