(Meth)acrylate-Epoxy Adhesive for Biomedical Device Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biomedical devices face challenges with reduced adhesion strength over time due to mechanical and thermal stresses, biocompatibility issues, and surface wettability problems when assembling components of different materials like metals, silicon, plastics, or glass, which also suffer from planarity issues and adhesive occlusion in microhydraulic channels.
Innovation Solution
A (meth)acrylate/epoxy adhesive composition is used, comprising a mixture of (meth)acrylate and epoxy adhesives, pre-cured with UV-blue radiation to form a film on the components, allowing for improved adhesion and biocompatibility without altering the surface properties, and completing the curing process with further UV exposure and heat to enhance bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional adhesive compositions are used to assemble biomedical device components, then initial bonding is achieved, but adhesion strength decreases over time due to mechanical and thermal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition is segmented into multiple functional components: (meth)acrylate monomers for initial rapid bonding, epoxy monomers for long-term strength, silane coupling agents for surface adhesion, and crosslinking agents for structural integrity. Each component contributes to different aspects of bonding performance at different time scales, resolving the contradiction between initial adhesion and long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite adhesive system combining organic (meth)acrylate and epoxy polymers with inorganic silane crosslinkers. This composite formulation creates a multi-phase adhesive matrix that provides both immediate bonding strength and sustained durability under mechanical and thermal stress, addressing the time-dependent strength degradation problem.
2Strength
If surface treatments like plasma or thermal treatments are applied to improve adhesion, then bonding strength increases, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition contains silane coupling agents that automatically react with surface hydroxyl groups upon contact, providing self-priming and self-adhesion promotion without requiring external plasma or thermal treatment steps. The silane groups hydrolyze and condense with surface OH groups, creating covalent bonds that enhance adhesion inherently as part of the bonding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive formulation changes its chemical parameters dynamically during application: silane groups hydrolyze in moisture, then crosslink upon contact with surface hydroxyls, while (meth)acrylate and epoxy polymers simultaneously polymerize. These parameter changes occur automatically without external treatment, simplifying the process while maintaining strong adhesion.
3Strength
If adhesive composition is applied to ensure complete coverage, then adhesion improves, but microhydraulic channels become occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition exhibits spatially differentiated properties: it forms strong bonds at component interfaces where contact occurs, while maintaining low viscosity and non-straining characteristics in bulk to avoid entering microhydraulic channels. The formulation's local adhesion promotion through silane-surface reactions ensures complete coverage at bonding surfaces without excessive bulk flow that would cause occlusion.
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 excellent antifouling and adhesion properties, maintains biocompatibility with biological fluids, and addresses planarity and occlusion issues, eliminating the need for additional surface treatments like plasma or thermal treatments, while ensuring strong and durable bonding.
Implementation Method 1
pre-cured with UV-blue radiation to form a film on the components
Implementation Method 2
completing the curing process with further UV exposure and heat to enhance bonding
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biomedical device for the distribution or containment of biological substances comprising at least two components assembled each other with an adhesive composition comprising a mixture of an acrylic adhesive composition and an epoxy adhesive composition. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a biomedical device comprising at least two components, comprising (i) forming a film of an adhesive composition comprising a mixture of a (meth)acrylate adhesive composition and an epoxy adhesive composition on at least one surface of said at least two components, (ii) pre-curing said adhesive composition with an UV-blue radiation exposure to substantially cure said (meth)acrylate adhesive composition without substantially curing said epoxy adhesive composition, (iii) contacting said at least one surface of said at least two components to be assembled, and (iv) completing the curing of said adhesive composition with an UV-blue radiation exposure.