System for reconstituting pastes and methods of using same

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an efficient and cost-effective system for reconstituting bone pastes comprising a first syringe containing a reconstitution fluid and second syringe containing paste components, wherein said first and second syringes are communicatingly interconnectable. Also disclosed are novel methods for producing and storing bone pastes. Alternatively, a mixing syringe is disclosed, which is useful for reconstituting a paste, inter alia, comprising a flexible midportion, whereby repeated compression of the flexible midportion results in mixing the contents of the syringe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mixing syringe comprising: 
 a barrel comprising a first end, a second end and a midsection; and    a plunger adapted for insertion into said barrel at said second end;    wherein midsection comprises a flexible portion such that said flexible portion is compressible by hand, and wherein contents of said syringe are mixed upon compression of said midsection.    
     
     
         2 . The mixing syringe of    claim 1    wherein said midsection comprises a rigid portion proximate to said second end, wherein said rigid portion is more rigid than said flexible portion.  
     
     
         3 . The mixing syringe of    claim 2   , wherein said rigid portion is made of polypropylene.  
     
     
         4 . The mixing syringe of    claim 1   , wherein said flexible portion is made of polyethylene, silicone, laminate plastic, polyurethane, Krayton, or rubber latex.  
     
     
         5 . The mixing syringe of    claim 1   , wherein said first end comprises an opening for receiving a fluid.  
     
     
         6 . The mixing syringe of    claim 5   , wherein said first end comprises a connector rigidly attached thereon, or integral thereto, that is configured for engaging a fluid delivery device.  
     
     
         7 . The mixing syringe of    claim 6   , wherein said connector is a luer-lok type connector, a septum, a one-way valve, a multiple-way valve, threaded neck, or smooth neck.  
     
     
         8 . The mixing syringe of    claim 1   , wherein said plunger comprises a tapered end or a flat end.  
     
     
         9 . The mixing syringe of    claim 1   , wherein said barrel comprises a flange to facilitate manipulation of the mixing syringe.  
     
     
         10 . A method of mixing two or more substances comprising the steps of: 
 disposing said two or more substances into the mixing syringe of    claim 1   ; and    squeezing said midsection of said mixing syringe.    
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said disposing step comprises disposing at least one paste component into said mixing syringe; storing said paste component in said mixing syringe for at least 24 hours; and subsequent to said storing step, disposing an amount of reconstitution fluid into said mixing syringe.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 10    further comprising the step of extruding said two or more substances out of said mixing syringe at said first end.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 12    further comprising removing a portion of said first end of said barrel of said mixing syringe.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said two or more substances comprise a paste component and a reconstitution fluid.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 14    further comprising introducing said reconstitution fluid through said first end of said mixing syringe.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 10    wherein said squeezing is carried out by hand or by a mechanical device.  
     
     
         17 . An article of manufacture comprising a mixing syringe that comprises: 
 a barrel comprising a first end, a second end and a midsection; and    a plunger adapted for insertion into said barrel at said second end; wherein a portion of said midsection is flexible such that contents of said syringe are mixed upon compression of said midsection; and    at least one biomedical substance disposed in said mixing syringe.    
     
     
         18 . The article of manufacture of    claim 17   , wherein said at least one biomedical substance comprises a paste component.  
     
     
         19 . A method of repairing a bone defect, injury or deformation comprising the steps of: 
 disposing at least one paste component in the mixing syringe of    claim 1   ;    storing said at least one paste component in said mixing syringe for at least 24 hours;    subsequent to said storing step, disposing an amount of reconstitution fluid into said mixing syringe;    squeezing said flexible portion of said mixing syringe such that said at least one paste component and reconstitution fluid are mixed to form a mixture; and    extruding said mixture to a site of need.    
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 19   , wherein extruding comprises removing a portion of said first end of said barrel of said mixing syringe.