Apparatus for cemented implantation of prostheses

A method for delivering a polymerizable cement to a bone cavity for implantation of a prosthesis comprising the steps of:

• mixing a liquid monomer with a powdered, pre-polymerized cement for polymerization thereof;
• placing the mixture of the monomer and pre-polymerized cement within a sealed, pressurizable housing having a normally closed valve;
• applying pressure to the mixture of the monomer and pre-polymerized cement in the sealed housing during polymerization thereof while preventing the escape of cement from the housing to minimize the formation of gas bubbles in the cement;
• opening the valve;
• locking the valve into an open position;
• and
• delivering the resulting polymerized cement to a bone cavity through the valve by continued application of pressure to the pressurizable housing.

Apparatus for application of cement to a bone cavity for implantation of a prosthetic device comprising:

• a manually operable, pneumatically actuated cylinder;
• a generally rigid housing being removably attachable to said cylidner, said housing being adapted to receive a quantity of cement prior to attachment thereof to said cylinder, the interior of said housing being sealed for preventing a flow of gas therethrough to allow pressurization thereof when said housing is secured to said cylinder;
• a piston disposed within said housing and driven by said pneumatically actuated cylinder for applying pressure to cement disposed within the interior of said sealed housing during polymerization of the cement to minimize the formation of gas bubbles in the cement;
• an elongated nozzle extending from said housing for application of cement to a bone cavity;
• a valve coupling said nozzle to said housing, said valve being in a normally closed position in which said nozzle is not in communication with the interior of said housing during application of pressure to cement disposed within the interior of said housing by said piston;
• means biasing said valve into said normally closed position, said valve being openable by the application of axial pressure to said nozzle toward said housing to overcome said biasing means;
• and
• means for irreversibly locking said valve in an open position in which said nozzle is in communication with the interior of said hosuing to allow cement to pass through said nozzle and into a bone cavity in response to pressure applied by said piston, said piston urging cement through said nozzle and said valve into a bone cavity only when said valve is in said open position.