Resin Composition for Ultrasonic Endoscope Backing Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic endoscopes face image disturbances and bonded portion deterioration during sterilization processes, particularly due to thermal and chemical effects, which affect their mechanical and acoustic characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A resin composition comprising an epoxy resin, a hardener, and an ion exchanger, with modified silicone, is used to create a backing material for ultrasonic vibrators, providing enhanced sterilization resistance and acoustic characteristics by forming a cured material with a silicone backbone that resists bond breaking and reduces metal ion and chloride ion presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an autoclave is used for sterilization process, then sterilization is achieved, but thermal deterioration occurs in the medical device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the backing material by incorporating specific fillers (silica, alumina, or tungsten particles) and controlling the resin composition (epoxy resin and hardener ratio) to achieve thermal stability that allows autoclave sterilization without deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite backing material combining epoxy resin, hardener, and inorganic fillers (silica, alumina, or tungsten particles) to achieve both sterilization resistance and acoustic characteristics, resolving the contradiction between thermal durability and acoustic performance
2Reliability
If ethylene oxide gas is used for sterilization process, then sterilization is achieved, but residual gas affects the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of chemical sterilization on organic materials into a benefit by using the chemical sterilization process (autoclave) to cross-link and densify the polymer matrix, thereby improving the material's chemical resistance and eliminating the need for alternative chemical sterilants that harm the human body
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen peroxide-based gas is used for sterilization process, then sterilization is achieved with reduced thermal damage, but chemical resistance deterioration still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary chemical modification by incorporating ion exchangers and controlling the epoxy resin to hardener ratio before sterilization, creating a chemically resistant structure that prevents deterioration during hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization
4Strength
If bonded portions are used in ultrasonic endoscope, then structural integrity is achieved, but bonded portions are likely to deteriorate during sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the bonding interface by using epoxy resin and hardener systems with specific filler contents, creating a bonded portion that maintains structural integrity and chemical resistance during sterilization processes
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 resin composition improves sterilization resistance and acoustic performance, reducing thermal deterioration and chemical resistance issues, especially in hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, while maintaining adhesion strength and acoustic impedance.
Implementation Method 1
a resin composition contains: an epoxy resin (A); a hardener (B); and an ion exchanger (C)
Implementation Method 2
forming a cured material with a silicone backbone that resists bond breaking
Implementation Method 3
The ultrasonic vibrator is schematically constituted by a piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A resin composition of the present invention contains: an epoxy resin (A); a hardener (B); and an ion exchanger (C). At least one of the epoxy resin (A) and the hardener (B) contains a modified silicone (S), and the epoxy resin (A) is at least one type selected from the group consisting of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin, a bisphenol F type epoxy resin, a phenol novolac type epoxy resin, and an epoxy-modified silicone.