Polyetherimide Color Stability in Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic components used in hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization devices face challenges in retaining their properties and appearance after repeated exposure to hydrogen peroxide plasma, leading to durability issues and degradation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polyetherimide composition that maintains color stability and etched markings after 100 cycles of hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, with a delta E color shift of 10 units or less, and retains its mass and surface integrity, outperforming polyphenylene ether sulfone in these aspects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic components are exposed to repeated hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization cycles, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but color stability and surface marking legibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting specific polyetherimide formulations with controlled molecular weight, inherent viscosity, and compositional parameters that resist color degradation during plasma sterilization. The polymer parameters are optimized to maintain color stability (delta E ≤ 10) after 100 sterilization cycles while preserving sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If plastic components are exposed to repeated hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization cycles, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but surface marking legibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes polymer parameters including molecular weight (10,000-80,000 Daltons) and inherent viscosity (0.2-0.7 dl/g) to maintain surface integrity and etched marking legibility after repeated plasma sterilization cycles, while ensuring sterilization effectiveness is achieved.
3Ease of manufacture
If polyphenylene ether sulfone is used for plastic components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability under repeated sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polyetherimide as a superior material alternative to polyphenylene ether sulfone, utilizing its inherent resistance to plasma oxidation and color degradation. This material substitution maintains manufacturability while dramatically improving durability and color stability after 100 sterilization cycles.
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 polyetherimide composition exhibits superior color retention, surface marking legibility, and durability under repeated hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, extending the service life of sterilized articles in sterile environments compared to polyphenylene ether sulfone.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization is an alternative to high temperature autoclave sterilization, especially for articles that include sensitive electronic or optical components that cannot be exposed to the high temperatures or moisture of an autoclave without becoming damaged. Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization systems operate at lower temperatures than high temperature autoclaves and achieve sterilization of articles through the antimicrobial action of peroxide plasma
Implementation Method 2
Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization devices are known, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,876. The article to be sterilized is placed in the plasma chamber, the chamber is closed, and vacuum is drawn on the chamber to remove the gas that is in the chamber. An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is typically injected into the chamber raising the pressure in the chamber to the desired level.
Implementation Method 3
In other instances a hydrogen peroxide vapor, that may contain little or no hydrogen peroxide plasma, may also be used for low temperature sterilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilized article comprising a sterilized or hydrogen peroxide vapor-sterilized polymer composition, the polymer composition comprising a polyetherimide, wherein after exposure to 100 cycles of the hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide vapor and hydrogen peroxide plasma for 30 minutes at 20 to 55° C., the color of the polymer composition of the article exhibits a color shift of delta E of 10 units or less relative to the color of the polymer composition color before the first hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization cycle, wherein delta E is measured in accordance with ASTM D2244.