Method and apparatus for packaging, mixing and delivering bone cement

A method of preparing and applying bone cement which is formed by mixing at least a first component and second component, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing said first and second components in a flexible package having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment being operable to store said first component and said second compartment being operable to store said second component, said first and second compartments being separated by a temporary seal;
• removing said temporary seal thereby allowing said first and second components to mix Within said flexible package so as to form said bone cement;
• inserting said flexible package into a bone cement gun;
• and
• operating said bone cement gun so as to cause said bone cement to be dispensed from said flexible package.

A method of packaging bone cement formed from at least a first component and a second component, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first panel formed from a generally flexible film;
• providing a second panel formed from a generally flexible film;
• partially sealing said first panel to said second panel to partially form a flexible package;
• forming a temporary seal between said first panel and said second panel to form a first compartment and partially form a second compartment, said first compartment containing said first component of said bone cement, said step of forming a temporary seal including pinching said first and second panel between an elongated C-shaped outer retention member and an elongated I-shaped inner retention member, said I-shaped inner retention member being adapted to be received by said C-shaped outer retention member;
• filling said flexible package with said first component of said bone cement;
• filling said second compartment with said second component of said bone cement;
• sealing the remainder of said first panel to said second panel so as to completely form said flexible container.

An apparatus for dispensing bone cement wherein said bone cement is formed by mixing at least a first component with a second component, said apparatus comprising:

• a flexible container being operable to store said first and second components, said flexible container including:
• (a) a first compartment being operable to store said first component of said bone cement, said first component being stored in said first compartment under a vacuum,
• (b) a second compartment being operable to store said second component of said bone cement;
• (c) means for temporarily separating said first compartment and said second compartment wherein removal of said means for temporarily separating said first compartment and said second compartment from said flexible container permits said first and second components to be mixed so as to form said bone cement;
• means for supporting said flexible container within said apparatus;
• and
• means for causing said flexible container to dispense said bone cement from said apparatus.

A method of preparing and applying bone cement which is formed by mixing at least a first component and a second component, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing said first component in a flexible package having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment being operable to store said first component and said second compartment being operable to store said second component, said first and second compartments being separated by a temporary seal;
• drawing a vacuum within said first compartment of said flexible container so as to place said first component under a vacuum;
• disposing said second component in said second compartment of said flexible package;
• removing said temporary seal thereby allowing said first and second components to mix within said flexible package so as to form said bone cement;
• and
• applying said bone cement after said first and said second components have been mixed.

A method of packaging bone cement formed from at least a first component and a second component, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first panel formed from a generally flexible film;
• providing a second panel formed from a generally flexible film;
• partially sealing said first panel to said second panel to form a flexible package;
• forming a temporary seal between said first panel and said second panel to form a first compartment and partially form a second compartment, said first compartment being operable to contain said first component of said bone cement and said second compartment being operable to contain said second component of said bone cement;
• drawing a vacuum in at least one of said first and second compartments;
• and
• sealing the remainder of said first panel to said second panel so as to completely form said flexible container.