Fluoropolyether Coating for Medicinal Inhalers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medicinal inhalation devices face issues with surface interactions, such as medicament adhesion and degradation, due to high surface energy materials, leading to uneven delivery and operational problems in metered dose pressurized inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs).
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a composition comprising monofunctional polyfluoropolyether silane and a non-fluorinated cross-linking agent to provide a polyfluoropolyether-containing coating with low surface energy and enhanced structural integrity, which is covalently bonded to the device surfaces, reducing adhesion and degradation while maintaining durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If materials with high surface energy (e.g., acetal polymer, stainless steel, aluminum) are used for inhalation device components, then structural integrity and mechanical strength are maintained, but medicament particles adhere irreversibly to surfaces causing non-uniform delivery
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer comprising fluorinated polymer and inorganic particles is applied to the component surface, serving as an intermediary between the high surface energy material and the medicament. The coating has lower surface energy than the base material, preventing direct adhesion of medicament particles to the original surface while maintaining the mechanical properties of the underlying component.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface energy parameter of the component is modified by applying a coating with deliberately reduced surface energy characteristics. The fluorinated polymer and inorganic particle composition creates a surface with energy parameters suitable for preventing medicament adhesion, while the coating thickness and composition are controlled to maintain structural integrity.
2Reliability
If coatings are applied to component surfaces to reduce surface energy and prevent adhesion, then medicament delivery uniformity improves, but coating durability and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is formulated as a composite material combining fluorinated polymer (for low surface energy) with inorganic particles (for enhanced mechanical properties). This composite structure provides both the surface energy characteristics needed to prevent medicament adhesion and the mechanical strength required for coating durability and resistance to degradation during device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is applied to specific portions of component surfaces where medicament contact occurs, rather than uniformly across entire components. This selective application ensures the low surface energy property is present where needed for medicament delivery uniformity while minimizing coating material usage and maintaining the structural integrity of the base component in non-critical areas.
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 solution provides a thin, durable coating that enhances the uniformity of medicament delivery, reduces surface interactions, and improves the operational integrity of medicinal inhalation devices by minimizing adhesion and degradation, ensuring consistent performance over the device's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
extensive bonding (e.g. covalent bonding) to said surface
Implementation Method 2
The silane surface chemistry of the coating provided on said device or said component of said device
Implementation Method 3
cross-linking within the polyfluoropolyether-containing coating itself
Implementation Method 4
The non-fluorinated cross-linking agent may comprise one or more non-fluorinated compounds, each compound having either at least two hydrolysable groups
Implementation Method 5
at least two hydrolysable groups or at least one reactive functional group and at least one hydrolysable group
Implementation Method 6
desirable surface properties (e.g. low surface energy)
Data Source
AI summary
A medicinal inhalation device having applied to surface thereof a composition comprising a monofunctional polyfluoropolyether silane and a non-fluorinated cross-linking agent.