UV-Cured Lubricious Catheter Coating With Low Particulate Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricious coatings for medical devices are ineffective in reducing friction and lack durability, leading to a rapid increase in friction during use.
Innovation Solution
A lubricious coating comprising an acrylic acid polymer, an acrylamide copolymer with photoreactive groups, and a cross-linking agent, applied using a dip-coating method and activated with UV light, forming a durable and low-particulate-release coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lubricious coating is applied to reduce friction, then patient comfort and procedural ease are improved, but the coating lacks durability and friction increases rapidly during use
Solution Approach 1:
The coating uses a composite structure with multiple polymer layers: an inner layer comprising poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(ethylene glycol) for lubricity, and an outer layer comprising polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide for durability and low particulate release. This composite material approach allows the coating to simultaneously achieve ease of operation through lubricity and reliability through durability.
2Ease of operation
If a lubricious coating is applied to reduce friction, then patient comfort is improved, but particulate release occurs in aqueous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The coating composition parameters are optimized to balance lubricity and low particulate release. The specific ratios of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (20-80 wt%), poly(ethylene glycol) (10-70 wt%), polyacrylic acid (5-30 wt%), and polyacrylamide (5-30 wt%) are controlled to achieve the desired performance. Additionally, the cross-linking density is adjusted through UV irradiation conditions to minimize particulate release while maintaining lubricious properties.
3Ease of operation
If existing lubricious coatings are used, then initial lubricity is provided, but friction increases rapidly during use
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is pre-formed on the medical device before use through a dip-coating process followed by UV curing. This preliminary action ensures that the lubricious properties are established before the device is inserted, providing immediate lubricity. The cross-linked network structure is also pre-established to maintain friction resistance throughout the duration of use.
4Manufacturing precision
If a dip-coating method is used to apply the coating, then uniform coverage is achieved, but the coating process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical dip-coating process is replaced with a photochemical curing step. The coating composition is applied to the device surface, and UV light irradiation activates the photoreactive groups to form the cross-linked network. This substitution simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex mechanical coating equipment while achieving uniform coverage through the fluidity of the coating composition during application.
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 coating provides excellent lubricity and reduces friction during medical device insertion, maintaining low particulate release in aqueous environments, enhancing patient comfort and procedural ease.
Implementation Method 1
The coating can then be treated with UV light to activate the photoreactive groups to cause bonding and formation of the coating
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure include lubricious coatings. In an embodiment the disclosure includes a lubricious coating for a medical device including an acrylic acid polymer, an acrylamide copolymer comprising at least one photoreactive group, and a cross-linking agent comprising at least two photoreactive groups. The coating can be used on a catheter surface to facilitate its movement in the body.