Optical Fiber Functional Silane Coating for Medical Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber articles for medical and diagnostic applications lack high corrosion resistance, long service life, good bending load capacity, and biocompatibility, particularly when exposed to steam sterilization, and often contain toxic materials like acrylates and photoinitiators.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber article with a functional layer comprising a functional silane that provides improved adhesion, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility, characterized by specific IR spectral ratios and composed of silanes, alkylsilanes, polyethylene glycol silanes, and fatty acids, which reduces toxicity and enhances durability and sterilizability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymerizable coating compositions containing acrylates, methacrylates and photoinitiators are used to cover optical fibers, then adhesion and protection are improved, but toxicity and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful photoinitiators and polymerizable components (acrylates, methacrylates) from the coating composition, extracting only the essential protective and adhesive functions. The size composition is reformulated to eliminate toxic substances while maintaining performance through alternative safe ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameters of the size are fundamentally changed by replacing polymerizable monomers and photoinitiators with non-toxic alternatives. The patent specifies excluding certain harmful substances and using safe solvents, binders, and additives instead, thereby changing the chemical parameters to achieve both protection and biocompatibility.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are sterilized by autoclaving with high pressure, temperature and humidity, then sterilization is achieved, but corrosion and material degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The size composition is specifically formulated beforehand to provide cushioning protection against autoclaving conditions. The patent describes a size that maintains film integrity and protects the optical fiber coating from corrosion during high-temperature steam sterilization, preventing material degradation before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The size composition parameters are optimized for autoclavability, with specific requirements for temperature resistance, humidity resistance, and corrosion protection. The patent specifies that the size must maintain its protective function after repeated autoclaving cycles, achieving both sterilization and material preservation.
3Reliability
If optical fibers are made with high temperature resistance and air humidity resistance, then durability and sterilizability are improved, but bendability and mechanical flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The size composition parameters are carefully balanced to achieve both temperature/humidity resistance and bendability. The patent specifies a composition that remains flexible after curing and aging, allowing the coated optical fiber to bend without cracking the size layer, while maintaining corrosion resistance and autoclavability.
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 optical fiber article exhibits enhanced corrosion resistance, extended service life, improved bending load capacity, and reduced toxicity, making it suitable for repeated sterilization cycles and medical applications without harmful residues.
Implementation Method 1
wherein one, two or three of the groups R1, R2 or R3 is connected with the surface directly or indirectly via a covalent bond
Implementation Method 2
Optical fiber articles, such as for example glass fiber articles, may transmit light and/or data as light guides and/or image guides
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber article and a method for the production of the optical fiber article. The present disclosure in particular relates to the use of the optical fiber article in a fiber bundle as light guide and/or image guide, for example in an endoscope.