Needle Coating Formulation for Lubricity and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lubricious coatings for surgical needles experience diminished penetrative ability with multiple passes through tissue, leading to inconsistent performance, and require time-consuming application processes involving solvent deposition and thermal treatment.
Innovation Solution
A novel lubricious coating composition comprising a mixture of silicone polymer, silicone cross-linking agent, pre-oxidized hydrophobic polymer, catalyst, and slip agent, applied using a method that includes heat treatment and milling of hydrophobic powders to enhance durability and lubricity, facilitating easier tissue passage and improved sterilization compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional lubricious coatings are applied to surgical needles, then lubricity is improved, but penetration performance diminishes with multiple passes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite coating containing multiple components including polymeric silicone, siloxane, cross-linking agents, and other additives to achieve both lubricity and durable penetration performance. This composite formulation allows the coating to maintain consistent performance across multiple surgical passes while providing necessary lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies coating parameters by adjusting molecular weight, end groups, and additive concentrations to optimize the balance between lubricity and penetration durability. These parameter changes enable the coating to resist degradation during multiple tissue penetrations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If silicone coating is applied to extend useful life, then durability is improved, but application process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-formulated additives and cross-linking agents into the coating solution before application. This preliminary preparation ensures that the coating cures properly and achieves durable useful life without requiring extended application or processing time during the surgical workflow.
3Force
If conventional coatings are used to reduce insertion forces, then lubricity is improved, but drag forces increase with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts coating parameters including silicone polymer molecular weight, cross-linking density, and additive concentrations to maintain low insertion forces and drag forces across multiple passes. These parameter optimizations ensure consistent performance throughout the coating's useful life.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-component composite coating formulation works synergistically to reduce both insertion forces and drag forces during repeated use, maintaining performance consistency that single-component coatings cannot achieve.
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 coating significantly reduces insertion and drag forces, maintains penetration performance over multiple passes, and is more stable and easier to apply, enhancing the efficiency and biocompatibility of surgical needles during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The coating consists of a mixture of a silicone polymer, a silicone cross-linking agent, a pre-oxidized hydrophobic polymer, a catalyst, a slip agent and compatible solvents
Implementation Method 2
The coating consists of a mixture of a silicone polymer, a silicone cross-linking agent, a pre-oxidized hydrophobic polymer, a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device coated with a novel lubricious coating is disclosed. The coating contains a pre-oxidized hydrophobic polymer, a cross-linking agent, a silicone or siloxane polymer, a slip agent and a catalyst.