Article and method of making

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silicone-based products degrade when exposed to vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilization due to hydrogen peroxide permeation, leading to accumulation and degradation issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a hydrogen peroxide degradation catalyst, such as metal oxides like manganese dioxide or cerium dioxide, into a silicone elastomer composition to reduce hydrogen peroxide accumulation and enhance resistance to vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone-based materials are used for medical and pharmaceutical applications, then they provide desired properties such as non-toxicity, flexibility, and thermal stability, but they degrade when exposed to vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilization due to hydrogen peroxide permeation and accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilizationVSAvoidhydrogen peroxide accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a hydrogen peroxide degradation catalyst (such as metal oxides like manganese dioxide or cerium dioxide) into the silicone elastomer composition. This catalyst converts the harmful hydrogen peroxide that accumulates during sterilization into water and oxygen, transforming the harmful effect into a beneficial degradation process that protects the silicone article while maintaining its mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by combining silicone elastomer with a hydrogen peroxide degradation catalyst. This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously maintain the desirable properties of silicone (flexibility, non-toxicity) while gaining the ability to degrade hydrogen peroxide through the catalytic action of the embedded metal oxide particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The catalyst reduces hydrogen peroxide accumulation by at least 50% and maintains mechanical properties, ensuring the silicone article's integrity and flexibility during sterilization processes.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a hydrogen peroxide degradation catalyst, such as metal oxides like manganese dioxide or cerium dioxide, into a silicone elastomer composition to reduce hydrogen peroxide accumulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250333577A1Article and method of making

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 SAINT GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORP

AI summary

The subject application relates to an article and method of making. An article includes a polymer composition, the polymer composition including a silicone elastomer and a hydrogen peroxide degradation catalyst.