Metal Surface Lubricant Layer via Silane Photopolymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices such as catheters and syringe needles face issues with sliding properties and lubricity, particularly in wet conditions, due to coatings that are not firmly bonded to metal surfaces, leading to peeling and deterioration of lubricant layers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of hydrogen abstraction type photopolymerization initiators, such as benzophenone or thioxanthone, to chemically bond polymer chains to metal surfaces, enhanced by pre-treatment with silane coupling agents, ensuring a durable lubricant layer on metal medical devices like guide wires and syringe needles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the surface of a medical device is coated with a resin to improve sliding properties, then the sliding properties are improved, but the coating is not firmly bonded to the metal surface and can be easily peeled or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite coating structure consisting of a silane coupling agent layer and a hydrophilic polymer layer. The silane coupling agent forms a chemical bond with the metal surface, while the hydrophilic polymer provides lubricity. This composite structure ensures both strong bonding and improved sliding properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane coupling agent acts as an intermediary between the metal surface and the hydrophilic polymer coating. It chemically bonds to the metal surface and provides anchoring points for the polymer, ensuring firm bonding while allowing the polymer to maintain its lubricating function.
2Ease of operation
If a coating is applied to improve lubricity, then sliding properties are improved, but the coating deteriorates under stress or friction
Solution Approach 1:
The composite coating structure with silane coupling agent provides a strong foundation that resists stress and friction, while the hydrophilic polymer layer maintains lubricity. The silane-polymer-metal triad structure ensures durability under mechanical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the coating system by introducing silane coupling agents with specific functional groups that can chemically bond to metal surfaces. This creates a coating system with enhanced mechanical strength and stress resistance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner surface of a syringe needle or metal tube is coated to improve lubricity, then delivery accuracy is improved, but the coating is not firmly bonded and peels off
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent forms a strong chemical bond with the inner metal surface, providing a stable foundation for the hydrophilic polymer coating. This ensures the coating remains firmly bonded during fluid delivery operations, maintaining both accuracy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane coupling agent serves as an intermediary that chemically anchors the hydrophilic polymer to the metal inner surface. This ensures the coating remains intact during high-pressure fluid delivery, preventing peeling and maintaining delivery 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 solution provides a firmly bonded lubricant layer that enhances the sliding properties and durability of medical devices, reducing peeling and deterioration, even under stress or friction, thereby improving the performance of medical devices in wet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a hydrogen abstraction type photopolymerization initiator
Implementation Method 2
the surface is treated with a silane coupling agent prior to polymerizing the monomer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides surface-modified metals such as metal medical devices, e.g., guide wires, syringe needles, and metal tubes in medical devices or equipment, in which a lubricant layer is firmly bonded to the surface to impart lubricity to the surface, and further to improve the durability of the lubricant layer on the surface, thereby reducing deterioration of sliding properties, as well as methods for modifying a metal surface. The present invention relates to a surface-modified metal having a surface at least partially treated by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a hydrogen abstraction type photopolymerization initiator.