Plasma-Treated Surfaces for Stable Lyophilized Pellet Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid compositions do not adhere strongly to surfaces, leading to dislocation or loosening during shipment or handling, which can complicate or prevent reconstitution and adversely affect assay performance.

Innovation Solution

Plasma treatment of surfaces to enhance adhesion by increasing surface energy and wettability, allowing solid compositions to be adhered to the treated surfaces, such as plastic, and forming a lyophilized pellet that remains attached during processes like shipping and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid compositions are formed by drying a liquid solution on a conventional surface, then the composition can be stored in a stable solid state, but the composition becomes dislocated or loose during shipment or handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surface is plasma-treated before the liquid solution is applied and dried. This preliminary treatment modifies the surface properties to enhance adhesion, ensuring that when the solid composition forms during drying, it strongly adheres to the surface and remains in place during subsequent handling and shipping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If plasma treatment is applied to increase surface hydrophilicity and wettability, then adhesion of solid compositions is significantly improved, but the surface treatment process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidsurface treatment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adhesion methods with plasma treatment, which uses electromagnetic energy to modify surface properties. This substitution achieves superior adhesion through chemical and physical changes at the molecular level rather than relying on mechanical interlocking or simple surface contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the surface is treated to increase hydrophilicity, then the interaction of the reagent with the surface is strengthened, but the treatment requires additional processing steps and energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidplasma treatment energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface energy parameters through plasma treatment, increasing hydrophilicity and wettability. By adjusting plasma treatment parameters such as power, gas flow rate, and treatment duration, optimal adhesion is achieved while managing energy consumption efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Plasma-treated surfaces improve the adhesion of solid compositions, ensuring they remain attached during agitation, thereby facilitating complete reconstitution and maintaining assay performance.

Implementation Method 1

plasma treatment of a surface can improve the adhesion to the surface of solid compositions formed by drying a liquid solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma treatment: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

using corona discharge to treat surfaces before forming lyophilized pellets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 3

drying a solution on the plasma-treated surface and forming a solid composition from the solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

forming lyophilized pellets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLyophilization: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentEP3519484B1Compositions on plasma-treated surfaces
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 GEN PROBE INC
  • EP3519484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3519484B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3519484B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The disclosure provides solid compositions such as lyophilisates adhered to surfaces such as plasma-treated surfaces and related methods, uses, kits, intermediates, starting materials, and downstream products.