Multi-component handling and delivery system

Abstract

A multi-component handling and delivering system, and its methods of use, comprising a fully integrated structure for combining chemical and other components. The system eliminates the requirement for independent component transfer and atmospheric escape of any chemical vapors during handling and combining. The invention is useful to combine bone cement components (i.e., bone cement power and liquid monomer) to form bone cement.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A kit for combining a first component and a second component comprising: 
 a. a sealed container for containing the first component;    b. a vessel comprising an access portal, for containing the second component;    c. means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel; and    d. a transfer assembly for providing a flow path between the sealed container and the vessel,    wherein, in operation, when the sealed container comprises the first component, the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel causes the first component to transfer into the vessel by way of the flow path.    
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a vacuum portal as the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed container comprises a pressurized gas as the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed container is flexible to provide the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path comprises a transfer conduit.  
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed container comprises a first sealing membrane and wherein the flow path is between the first sealing membrane and the access portal.  
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the access portal comprises a second sealing membrane.  
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the sealed container comprises a cap and the cap comprises the first sealing membrane.  
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed container actually contains the first component and the first component comprises a liquid.  
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid is a monomer.  
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel actually contains the second component and the second component comprises a solid.  
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the solid is bone cement powder.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed container actually comprises a liquid monomer as the first component and the vessel actually comprises bone cement powder as the second component for combining with the monomer to form bone cement.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the transfer assembly comprises a housing which housing comprises: 
 (a) a first mounting collar constructed for mating engagement with the sealed container for receiving and securely holding the sealed container; and    (b) a second mounting collar constructed for mounting engagement with the access portal of the vessel,    wherein the transfer conduit is mounted in the housing and extends between the first collar and the second collar for providing the flow path therebetween.    
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises a support plate between the first mounting collar and the second mounting collar and the transfer conduit is mounted to the support plate.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the transfer conduit comprises two opposed terminating ends, each comprising a sharp, piercing edge.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a gas-flow aperture formed in the housing for providing gas flow into the sealed container to lessen or avoid vacuum formation in the container during operation.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the first mounting collar comprises a plurality of tabs on an inside wall, wherein the tabs radially extend inwardly from the wall and positioned for mating, locking engagement of the sealed container.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the housing further comprises a cover for engaging the radially extending tabs and for covering the first mounting collar.  
     
     
         20 . A method for combining a first component and a second component comprising: 
 (a) connecting a sealed container containing the first component to a vessel comprising an access portal, the connection being made by way of a transfer assembly for providing a flow path between the sealed container and the vessel; and    (b) activating a means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel to cause the first component to transfer into the vessel by way of the flow path.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the vessel comprises a vacuum portal as the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sealed container comprises a pressurized gas as the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sealed container is flexible to provide the means for causing the first component to transfer into the vessel.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the flow path comprises a transfer conduit.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sealed container comprises a first sealing membrane and wherein the flow path is between the first sealing membrane and the access portal.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the access portal comprises a second sealing membrane.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the sealed container comprises a cap and the cap comprises the first sealing membrane.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first component comprises a liquid.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the liquid is a monomer.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the vessel actually contains the second component and the second component comprises a solid.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the solid is bone cement powder for combining with the monomer to form bone cement..  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the transfer assembly comprises a housing which housing comprises: 
 (a) a first mounting collar constructed for mating engagement with the sealed container for receiving and securely holding the sealed container; and    (b) a second mounting collar constructed for mounting engagement with the access portal of the vessel,    wherein the transfer conduit is mounted in the housing and extends between the first collar and the second collar for providing the flow path therebetween.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the housing further comprises a support plate between the first mounting collar and the second mounting collar and the transfer conduit is mounted to the support plate.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the transfer conduit comprises two opposed terminating ends, each comprising a sharp, piercing edge.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a gas-flow aperture formed in the housing for providing gas flow into the sealed container to lessen or avoid vacuum formation in the container during operation.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first mounting collar comprises a plurality of tabs on an inside wall, wherein the tabs radially extend inwardly from the wall and positioned for mating, locking engagement of the sealed container.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the housing further comprises a cover for engaging the radially extending tabs and for covering the first mounting collar.