Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods
and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the
components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque
bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention
comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a
dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a
controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber
and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the
mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism
associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from
the dispensing chamber.