Medical Instrument Lubricating Coating for Sliding Durability

The invention changes the cross-linking method from thermal cross-linking to moisture-curing cross-linking. The block copolymer contains epoxy groups that react with water or hydroxyl groups to form cross-linked structures at room temperature or body temperature, avoiding the high-temperature heating process that degrades the lubricating hydrophilic groups. This parameter change in cross-linking mechanism resolves the contradiction between durability and lubricating property.

The invention replaces thermal energy (heating) with chemical energy (moisture-curing reaction) to achieve cross-linking. Instead of using heat to activate cross-linking, the epoxy groups in the block copolymer react with water or hydroxyl groups present in the coating solution or environment, enabling cross-linking at lower temperatures that preserve the lubricating properties of the hydrophilic polymer.

The invention uses a composite coating system consisting of a block copolymer with both hydrophilic groups (for lubrication) and epoxy groups (for cross-linking), combined with a hydroxyl-containing polymer or water. This composite structure creates a network where the hydrophilic segments provide lubrication while the epoxy-hydroxyl cross-links provide structural integrity and durability during prolonged use.

The coating system utilizes water or hydroxyl groups naturally present in the coating solution or physiological environment to trigger cross-linking. The epoxy groups in the block copolymer self-react with available water or hydroxyl groups to form cross-linked structures in situ, eliminating the need for external heating or additional cross-linking agents, and ensuring durable lubrication during prolonged procedures.