PET Solvent Mixture for Medical Device Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvents used for dissolving poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in solvent-based processing for medical devices are hazardous and often result in low concentration solutions that are not economically viable, limiting their application in implantable medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A solvent mixture comprising two or more components with specific Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSPs) is used to dissolve PET, achieving concentrations of at least 2 wt. % at room temperature, which are safer and more effective for processing, including electrospinning and electrospraying techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvents are used to dissolve PET, then the PET can be brought into solution, but the solvent is hazardous and the solution concentration is limited to less than 2 wt. %, making it economically unviable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by selecting specific solvents with Hansen solubility parameters within 2 MPa0.5 of PET's HSP coordinates (δd=18.02, δp=5.56, δh=14.27). This parameter matching approach enables high-concentration solutions while using safer solvents like cinnamyl alcohol, 2-methyl-1,3-butanediol, and n-butyl salicylate instead of hazardous conventional solvents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solvent systems combining multiple solvents (e.g., cinnamyl alcohol with 2-methyl-1,3-butanediol, or n-butyl salicylate with ethylene glycol) to achieve the required HSP parameter matching. This composite approach allows tuning of solubility properties to dissolve PET at high concentrations while maintaining solvent safety
2Ease of manufacture
If solvent-based processing is used to incorporate PET, then the polymer can be processed into medical devices, but the solution concentration is limited, reducing economic viability
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the solvent composition parameters to match PET's HSP coordinates, the patent achieves solution concentrations of at least 2 wt. % (and potentially much higher), which improves the economic viability of solvent-based processing for medical device manufacturing while maintaining processing capabilities
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 solvent mixture effectively dissolves PET to high concentrations, retaining its polymer structure and enabling the production of implantable medical devices with improved safety and efficiency, using less hazardous solvents compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving poly(ethylene terephthalate) in a solvent mixture to form a solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a solution including poly(ethylene terephthalate). The method includes dissolving poly(ethylene terephthalate) in a solvent mixture to form a solution, the solvent mixture including two solvent components. A Hansen Solubility Parameter Distance between the solvent mixture and HSP coordinates having a dispersion HSP of 18.02 MPa0.5, a polar HSP of 5.56 MPa0.5, and a hydrogen bonding HSP of 14.27 MPa0.5 is less than about 2 MPa0.5.