Cyclobutanediol Polyester Blends with Fluoroalkyl Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for materials with specific properties such as optical clarity, toughness, heat resistance, lubricity, anti-protein binding, and chemical resistance in medical and food industries, particularly for medical devices that come into contact with blood, while avoiding the use of bisphenol A.

Innovation Solution

Compositions comprising polyesters with terephthalic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and fluoroalkyl derivatives, which are blended to create articles with improved properties like reduced fibrinogen adsorption and low coefficient of friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional polymers are used to achieve optical clarity and toughness, then good mechanical properties are obtained, but protein binding and fibrinogen adsorption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical clarity and toughnessVSAvoidprotein binding and fibrinogen adsorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining polyester base polymer with fluoroalkyl additives to create a material that simultaneously achieves optical clarity, toughness, and anti-protein binding properties. The fluoroalkyl component (such as fluoroalkyl borates or fluoroalkyl silicates) acts as a surface-modifying agent that reduces protein adsorption while maintaining the bulk mechanical properties of the polyester.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the surface chemical parameters of the polyester by incorporating fluoroalkyl groups, which have low surface energy and hydrophobic characteristics. This parameter change at the surface level reduces fibrinogen adsorption and protein binding, while the bulk polyester structure maintains optical clarity and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If materials with anti-protein binding properties are developed, then reduced fibrinogen adsorption is achieved, but lubricity and coefficient of friction may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefibrinogen adsorptionVSAvoidlubricity and coefficient of friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fluoroalkyl additives change the surface energy parameters of the polyester to achieve both anti-protein binding and good lubricity. The specific chemical structure of fluoroalkyl groups provides a balance between hydrophobicity (for protein resistance) and surface smoothness (for lubricity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fluoroalkyl additives concentrate at the surface of the polyester, creating a localized region with different properties than the bulk material. This surface layer provides both anti-protein binding characteristics and improved lubricity, while the bulk polyester maintains its structural integrity and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If polyesters with cyclobutanediol are used to reduce protein binding, then anti-protein properties improve, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein bindingVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-protein binding properties are built into the polyester material during the polymerization or compounding stage by incorporating fluoroalkyl additives. This preliminary action ensures that the final product has the desired properties without requiring complex post-manufacturing treatments or coatings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the anti-protein binding function into a separate fluoroalkyl additive component that can be easily mixed with the polyester. This separation allows for simple manufacturing processes where the additive is incorporated during standard compounding operations, avoiding complex multi-step manufacturing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3105279B1Blends of polyesters containing cyclobutanediol with fluoroalkyl additives and devices made thererom

Publication Date: 2018.07.25 EASTMAN CHEM CO

Figure 1

AI summary

This invention relates to polymer compositions comprising: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3- cyclobutanediol residues, wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.1 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/ tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25QC; and (II) at least one fluoroalkyl derivative.