Fluorine-Silicon DLC Coating for Medical Device Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical devices with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings lack flexibility and followability to withstand long-term use in a living body, failing to adequately cope with various stresses and movements.

Innovation Solution

A metal material for medical devices is developed with a DLC layer containing fluorine and silicon, formed using a vapor phase growth method, which enhances flexibility and followability by optimizing the F and Si concentration gradients within the DLC layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional DLC film is provided on a metal surface to enhance durability, then abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance are improved, but flexibility and followability to withstand movement and stress in a living body deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidflexibility and followability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a DLC film with non-uniform composition: the surface layer contains fluorine for biocompatibility and low friction, while the deeper layers contain silicon for flexibility and stress absorption. This gradient structure allows different regions of the coating to provide different properties, resolving the contradiction between durability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining diamond-like carbon with fluorine and silicon elements to create a multi-functional coating. The composite structure integrates the hard, durable characteristics of DLC with the flexibility provided by silicon and the biocompatibility enhanced by fluorine, achieving both durability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a DLC film is made harder to improve abrasion resistance, then surface durability is improved, but the ability to flexibly deform against various stresses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface hardnessVSAvoidstress absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the composition parameters of the DLC film through its thickness. By controlling the concentration gradients of fluorine (higher at surface) and silicon (higher in deeper layers), the film achieves optimal balance between surface hardness for abrasion resistance and internal flexibility for stress absorption.

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

The metal material exhibits stable followability and flexibility, enabling long-term continuous use in a living body by effectively managing stresses and movements, reducing cracking and peeling.

Implementation Method 1

a diamond-like carbon layer (DLC layer) provided on the metal layer and containing fluorine and silicon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor phase growth: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4241799B1Metal material for medical device, manufacturing method for metal material for medical device, and medical device

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 GLOBAL VASCULAR CO LTD

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a metal material for a medical device, the metal material including a metal layer, and a diamond-like carbon layer provided on the metal layer and containing fluorine and silicon.