Hivac Bowl - Bone Cement Mixing System

HiVac Bowl, provides a reproducible high quality cement mix; critical in echeiving long-term joint survival.

Unique Rotational Axis Mechanism
Bone cement must be able to withstand the high and complex loading that it is subjected to throughout the lifetime of the implant. Mixer design has been found to significantly influence the quality of cement (Fig 3&6) and a significantly better mix quality can be achieved with a rotational axis device compared to hand mixing or a fixed axis bowl (Fig 1&2)

                                                              
Fig 1: Rotational Axis Mixer Design                                                   Fig 2: Fixed Axis Mixer Design

Optimum Vacuum of 550mmHg
To further enhance fatigue life, cement needs to be mixed under optimal vacuum levels. If the vacuum level is too low then the cement will contain high levels of porosity, but if too high, excessive thermal shrinkage can create cracking in the cement mantle. The HiVac™ range operates at 550mmHg, which has been shown to give improved mechanical properties.

Fig 4: The effects of porosity on acrylic bone cement shrinkage after polymerisation.


            Vacuum=0mmHg no cracks                     Vacuum=550 mmHg no cracks            Vacuum=650mmHg cracks seen

Closed System during Mixing
Once the cement components have been added HiVac Bowl is closed throughout mixing.

Exposure to methylmethacrylate (MMA) fumes is a concern of many people who work in the vicinity of bone cement mixing. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines recommend a maximum exposure to MMA fumes of 100ppm during a 15 minute period. The HiVac range employs charcoal disc filters to reduce fumes during mixing to a fraction of the limits suggested in these guidelines (Fig 5)

Shaped Spatula and Curette
Hivac Bowl, is provided with a specially designed spatula that precisely matches the bowl interior profile and helps minimise cement waste.

Each spatula is fitted with a disposable curette that can be used to remove excess cement from critical surfaces.


                                 Fig 5: Fume exposure levels of vacuum devices during mixing.

Ergonomic Design & High Clarity Material
Optimised gearing and an ergonomic design ensures an easier mixing technique. The high clarity material and clear lid allows the mixing process to be easily viewed.

Combination Hip Pack Oqtion
HiVac Syringe/Hivac7 for the femur and HiVac Bowl for the acetabulum in one convenient pack.

Latex-free / PVC-free packaging
Latex-free product protects against potential latex allergy.
PVC-free packagign helps minimise environmental pollution.