Abstract: A system and method for mixing bone cement. The components forming the cement are contained in a cartridge. A motorized device, such as a surgical handpiece, rotates a blade in the cartridge that mixes the cement. The current drawn by the motor is monitored. The current draw is evaluated to determine the viscosity of the cement. If the current draw indicates that the cement is at the target viscosity, the mixing may be terminated. A low current draw measure may be interpreted as an indication that the cement is of low viscosity and that it may be necessary to continue the mixing process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hood for use with a personal protection system. The hood includes a shell formed from at least partially out of a filter medium. At least one transparent layer is initially attached to a transparent face shield. The transparent layer-face shield assembly is sterilized with gamma radiation and attached to the shell to form the hood. The hood is then sterilized with ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A cartridge in which bone cement is mixed and from which the cement is discharged. A blade with plural vanes is disposed in the cartridge for mixing the cement. A piston located in one end of the cartridge is actuated to push the mixed cement out of the cartridge. The blade has plural vanes, one for scraping cement off the side of the cartridge, one for scraping cement off the piston and one for scraping cement off the end of the cartridge opposite the end in which the piston is normally located. The blade is collapsible so that when the piston is actuated the blade compresses to allow the cement in the cartridge to be pushed out.

Abstract: A cartridge in which bone cement is mixed and from which the cement is discharged. A blade with plural vanes is disposed in the cartridge for mixing the cement. A piston located in one end of the cartridge is actuated to push the mixed cement out of the cartridge. The blade has plural vanes, one for scraping cement off the side of the cartridge, one for scraping cement off the piston and one for scraping cement off the end of the cartridge opposite the end in which the piston is normally located. The blade is collapsible so that when the piston is actuated the blade compresses to allow the cement in the cartridge to be pushed out.

Abstract: A cartridge in which bone cement is mixed and from which the cement is discharged. A blade with plural vanes is disposed in the cartridge for mixing the cement. A piston located in one end of the cartridge is actuated to push the mixed cement out of the cartridge. The blade has plural vanes, one for scraping cement off the side of the cartridge, one for scraping cement off the piston and one for scraping cement off the end of the cartridge opposite the end in which the piston is normally located. The blade is collapsible so that when the piston is actuated the blade compresses to allow the cement in the cartridge to be pushed out.

Abstract: A cartridge in which bone cement is mixed and from which the cement is discharged. A blade with plural vanes is disposed in the cartridge for mixing the cement. A piston located in one end of the cartridge is actuated to push the mixed cement out of the cartridge. The blade has plural vanes, one for scraping cement off the side of the cartridge, one for scraping cement off the piston and one for scraping cement off the end of the cartridge opposite the end in which the piston is normally located. The blade is collapsible so that when the piston is actuated the blade compresses to allow the cement in the cartridge to be pushed out.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hood for use with a personal protection system. The hood includes a shell formed from at least partially out of a filter medium. At least one transparent layer is initially attached to a transparent face shield. The transparent layer-face shield assembly is sterilized with gamma radiation and attached to the shell to form the hood. The hood is then sterilized with ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A system and method for mixing bone cement. The components forming the cement are contained in a cartridge. A motorized device, such as a surgical handpiece, rotates a blade in the cartridge that mixes the cement. The current drawn by the motor is monitored. The current draw is evaluated to determine the viscosity of the cement. If the current draw indicates that the cement is at the target viscosity, the mixing may be terminated. A low current draw measure may be interpreted as an indication that the cement is of low viscosity and that it may be necessary to continue the mixing process.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.

Abstract: An opener and tool for breaking medical containers, such as, for example, ampoules that includes an elongated handle which has a first end and a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge, and an opener which defines an opening extending into the upper edge at the first end and further defining a flexible cantilevered arm. The opener and tool has at least one arcuate pocket for gripping containers of different sizes between sides of the opening, holding the container and breaking a tip of the container to remove a liquid therefrom for further use with powdered components to produce a mix. The opener and tool also includes a spatula disposed at the second end of the handle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery system is provided. The system includes a mixing cartridge for receiving liquid and powder components of bone cement, a mixing device for mixing the components, and a delivery gun for discharging the bone cement from the mixing cartridge. The mixing cartridge comprises a cylinder having proximal and distal ends with a cylinder wall extending between the ends. A piston is locked at the distal end by a locking member that includes a pair of locking tabs protruding into slots in the cylinder wall. With the piston in the locked position, the mixing device, e.g., a mixing shaft and blade, mixes the components. After mixing, the cartridge is placed in the delivery gun and release buttons on the locking member are engaged by a release mechanism on the delivery gun to release the piston from the locked position.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.

Abstract: A monomer cracker and tool for breaking ampoules that includes an elongated handle which has a first end and a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge, and an opener which defines an opening extending into the upper edge at the first end and further defining a flexible cantilevered arm. The opener has at least one arcuate pocket for gripping containers of different sizes between sides of the opening, holding the container and breaking a tip of the container to remove a liquid therefrom for further use with powdered components to produce a mix. The tool also includes a spatula disposed at the second end of the handle.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for injecting cement from a cartridge includes a cradle, a cartridge, a button, and a threaded rod. The cradle has an axial cavity extending therethrough for supporting the cartridge of cement. The cartridge dispensing mechanism is coupled to the cradle. The button includes threads and defines an axial bore. The button is moveable into and out of threaded engagement with the threaded rod. The threaded rod extends into the axial cavity of the cradle.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.