Epoxy Adhesive Resists Oxidation in Endoscope Plasma Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Epoxy adhesives used in endoscopes undergo oxidation degradation and performance loss due to hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, leading to discoloration and clouding, which affects the optical performance and stability of metal and glass components.
Innovation Solution
A two-component adhesive system comprising bisphenol A, bisphenol F, or phenol novolac epoxy resins as the base and specific polyamine compounds as the curing agent, which are designed to maintain adhesiveness and resist oxidation degradation during hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If epoxy adhesive is used for fixation of metal or glass members in endoscope, then adhesive strength is sufficient, but oxidation degradation occurs during hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization causing discoloration and clouding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by incorporating specific antioxidants (phenolic antioxidants, amine antioxidants, or phosphite antioxidants) into the epoxy adhesive formulation. This chemical parameter change enables the adhesive to resist oxidation degradation during hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization while maintaining its bonding strength, thereby resolving the contradiction between adhesive strength and oxidation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adhesive material by combining epoxy resin with specific antioxidants and optionally other additives. This composite formulation provides both the strong bonding properties of epoxy and the oxidation resistance of the antioxidant components, allowing the adhesive to withstand repeated sterilization treatments without discoloration or clouding while maintaining adequate adhesive strength.
2Ease of operation
If insertion section diameter is reduced to alleviate foreign body sensation, then patient comfort improves, but bonding precision and adhesive application become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the physical parameters of the adhesive including viscosity and curing characteristics to enable precise application in narrow spaces. By optimizing these parameters, the adhesive can be effectively applied to small-diameter insertion sections while maintaining bonding precision, thus allowing reduced insertion section diameter for patient comfort without sacrificing manufacturing precision.
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 adhesive system effectively prevents oxidation degradation and maintains high adhesiveness and performance of endoscope components, ensuring the endoscope's optical and mechanical integrity during repeated sterilization treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a two-component adhesive for an endoscope includes a base and a curing agent. The base includes at least one epoxy resin (A) selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A epoxy resins, bisphenol F epoxy resins, and phenol novolac epoxy resins. The curing agent includes at least one polyamine compound (B)
Implementation Method 2
the adhesive for an endoscope according to the present invention is less likely to undergo oxidization degradation when subjected to a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization treatment in the state of being used for fixation of a member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention is: a two-component endoscope adhesive having a main agent and a curing agent, wherein the main agent includes at least one type of epoxy resin (A) from among a bisphenol-A-type epoxy resin, a bisphenol-F-type epoxy resin, and a phenol novolac-type epoxy resin, the curing agent includes at least one type of specific polyamine compound (B), and the endoscope adhesive is used for fixing a metal member and/or a glass member constituting part of an endoscope; a cured material of the endoscope adhesive; an endoscope fabricated using the endoscope adhesive; and a method for manufacturing the endoscope.