Self-Lubricating Rubber Component for Medical Device Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices, such as syringes and containers for chemically sensitive materials, face challenges with high breakout and breakloose forces due to friction, as well as issues with gas and liquid permeability and material reactivity.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a self-lubricating rubber component formed from a rubber composition including a halogenated isobutylene-isoprene co-polymer, clay minerals or silica, and a liquid polyisoprene and butadiene homopolymer, which reduces friction and prevents material migration and permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If polymeric materials are used for containers, then weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but gas permeability increases causing product degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymeric container materials with gas barrier coatings or layers. This creates a multi-layer structure where the polymer provides lightweight properties and the barrier layer prevents gas permeation, thus maintaining both weight reduction and product shelf life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film barrier coatings applied to the interior surface of polymeric containers. These flexible thin films provide effective gas blocking properties while maintaining the overall flexibility and lightweight characteristics of the polymeric container structure.
2Reliability
If glass containers are used, then gas impermeability and product shelf life are improved, but fragility and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile glass containers with flexible polymeric containers that have thin film barrier coatings applied to their interior surfaces. These coatings provide the gas impermeability traditionally associated with glass, while the polymeric base material provides impact resistance and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite container system combining polymeric materials with gas barrier coatings, achieving the gas impermeability of glass with the durability and impact resistance of polymers, thus eliminating the fragility problem while maintaining shelf life.
3Strength
If interior surfaces are made from glass or polymeric material, then container strength is provided, but material reactivity and trace component migration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thin film barrier coatings to the interior surfaces of containers to create a protective interface between the container wall and the stored product. This thin film layer prevents direct contact between the product and the container material, thereby eliminating reactivity issues and trace component migration while the underlying container structure maintains its strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas barrier coating as an intermediary layer between the container wall and the stored product. This intermediate layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents chemical interactions and trace component exchange, while the container structure behind it continues to provide mechanical strength and support.
4Stability of the object's composition
If two stationary surfaces are in sliding relationship, then structural stability is maintained, but breakout force increases making controlled movement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lubricant layer as an intermediary substance between the two sliding surfaces. This lubricant film reduces the direct contact and adhesion between surfaces, thereby significantly reducing breakout force while allowing controlled sliding movement to occur. The lubricant acts as a mediator that enables smooth transitions between stationary and moving states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameters of the sliding surfaces by applying lubricant coatings or using lubricant-infused materials. This modifies the surface properties to reduce static friction and breakout force, enabling controlled movement while maintaining structural stability of the overall device.
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 solution effectively reduces breakout and breakloose forces, prevents material migration and gas/liquid permeability, and maintains the quality and shelf life of contained products.
Implementation Method 1
a self-lubricating rubber formed from a rubber composition including a halogenated isobutylene-isoprene co-polymer and at least one of (1) clay minerals or silica and/or (2) a liquid polyisoprene and butadiene homopolymer
Implementation Method 2
exhibiting low friction and/or low gas/liquid permeability
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a container defined by walls and having a first end having an opening. The opening is sealed by a rubber component. The rubber component is formed from a self-lubricating rubber formed from a rubber composition including a halogenated isobutylene-isoprene co-polymer and at least one of (1) clay minerals or silica and (2) a liquid polyisoprene and butadiene homopolymer. A rubber component configured for use in a medical device and a rubber composition are also disclosed.