Siloxane Lubricant Coating for Fast-Curing Medical Instruments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubricants for medical devices, such as polydimethylsiloxane, require long curing times and result in reduced lubricating performance due to liquid layers being easily erased, leading to increased friction and penetration forces, and can react with biological materials.

Innovation Solution

A medical device lubricant system using siloxane polymers with high viscosity and cross-linking agents that cure rapidly in ambient conditions, forming a solid lubrication film within 5 minutes, suitable for medical device production lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a lubricant is applied to the outer sheath during insertion, then friction and insertion force are reduced, but the lubricant may leak into the patient's body causing harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion forceVSAvoidlubricant leakage harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophilic polymer coating is applied to the outer sheath surface to act as an intermediary between the lubricant and the sheath. This coating allows controlled interaction with lubricant while preventing direct leakage into the patient's body, thus reducing insertion force without causing harmful lubricant leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the outer sheath are modified by applying a hydrophilic polymer coating that changes the surface energy and wettability parameters. This enables the sheath to maintain low friction for insertion while controlling lubricant retention and preventing leakage into the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a lubricant is applied to the catheter before insertion, then insertion is facilitated, but the lubricant may leak into the patient's body causing harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidlubricant leakage harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophilic polymer coating is applied to the outer sheath surface to act as an intermediary between the lubricant and the sheath. This coating allows controlled interaction with lubricant while preventing direct leakage into the patient's body, thus facilitating insertion without causing harmful lubricant leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the outer sheath are modified by applying a hydrophilic polymer coating that changes the surface energy and wettability parameters. This enables the sheath to maintain ease of insertion while controlling lubricant retention and preventing leakage into the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the outer sheath is made more flexible to facilitate insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but the risk of lubricant leakage into the patient's body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidlubricant leakage harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophilic polymer coating is applied to the outer sheath surface to act as an intermediary that maintains lubricant control even when the sheath is made flexible. This coating prevents lubricant leakage into the patient's body while preserving the ease of insertion provided by the flexible sheath construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The outer sheath is constructed as a composite structure combining flexible polymer materials with a hydrophilic polymer coating layer. This composite design maintains the flexibility needed for easy insertion while the coating layer provides lubricant retention and prevents harmful leakage into the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system provides excellent lubricating performance with reduced friction and penetration forces, suitable for rapid automatic production lines, and does not react with biological materials.

Implementation Method 1

an outer surface of the outer sheath is coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has been shown to retain lubricant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an outer surface of the outer sheath is coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has been shown to retain lubricant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

friction and insertion force may be reduced through the application of a lubricant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3251704B1Medical instrument lubricant system and application method thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 JB MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Disclosed are a medical instrument lubricant system and an application method thereof. The lubricant system comprises a siloxane polymer with a viscosity greater than 100 centistokes and a cross-linking agent which can promote the fast curing of the siloxane polymer under ordinary circumstances. The lubricant system can also comprise a hydroxy silicone polymer, a silane coupling agent, a catalyst and a volatile carrier solvent. The lubricant system just needs to coat the surface of the medical instrument at least once, so as to quickly form a solid membrane. The membrane has excellent lubricating properties and a wide range of applic - ations, wherein the application method is simple, and easy to implement and control, especially for quick automated production lines, and has an extremely high economic value.