Fluorescent Colorized Oil for Thin-Layer Syringe Lubricant Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubricants used in syringes, such as silicone and hydrocarbon oils, are difficult to detect and analyze, leading to challenges in testing, property determination, and quality control, particularly in syringes and medical device stoppers, due to issues like low layer thickness, rapid detection, and migration.

Innovation Solution

A colorized oil comprising silicone or hydrocarbon oils combined with fluorescent acrylic compositions or ultraviolet dyes that fluoresce at specific wavelengths, allowing for improved detection and analysis through imaging systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lubricants (silicone or hydrocarbon oils) are used in syringes, then lubrication function is provided, but detection and analysis become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication functionVSAvoiddetection and analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies colorization compounds to the lubricant oil to enable visual detection. The oil is formulated with dyes or fluorescent materials that provide distinct coloration, allowing easy observation of the lubricant layer thickness, distribution, and behavior during syringe operation. This resolves the detection difficulty while preserving the lubrication function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces colorization compounds as intermediary substances that do not interfere with the lubrication mechanism but enable detection. These compounds act as mediators between the lubricant and detection systems (visual inspection, imaging systems), allowing quality control without compromising the oil's lubricating properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If thin layers of lubricant are applied to syringe surfaces, then lubrication efficiency is improved, but detection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoiddetection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The colorization compounds provide high-contrast visual indication that enhances the visibility of thin lubricant layers. Even when applied as thin films for optimal lubrication efficiency, the colored or fluorescent markers ensure the layers remain detectable through visual inspection or imaging systems, resolving the contradiction between thin-layer efficiency and detectability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If fluorescent acrylic compositions or ultraviolet dyes are added to oils, then visibility and detection are enhanced, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility and detectionVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the lubricant by incorporating fluorescent acrylic compositions or ultraviolet dyes at specific concentrations. These parameter changes enable enhanced visibility and detection capabilities while maintaining compatibility with the base oil and syringe materials, achieving improved detectability without excessive formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the visibility and analysis of lubricants in syringes, enabling better testing and quality control by providing clear contrast and facilitating faster detection of oil behavior and interactions with syringe components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one colorization compound selected from one or more fluorescent acrylic compositions, one or more ultraviolet dyes, or a combination of any two or more thereof, wherein the at least one colorization compound fluoresces at a wavelength of about 100 nm to about 400 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4599867A1Colorant for siliconization of syringes
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP4599867A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4599867A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4599867A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, in general, to a colorized oil comprising a combination of at least one oil (e.g., one or more silicone oils and/or one or more hydrocarbon oils) in combination with at least one colorization compound selected from one or more fluorescent compositions (e.g., one or more acrylic fluorescent compositions and/or one or more ultraviolet dyes).